STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General
Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD),
yesterday delivered the first two of 72 low-rate initial production (LRIP)
Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) variant vehicles to the U.S. Army at Anniston
(Ala.) Army Depot.
The Stryker MGS variant is a direct-fire infantry assault platform with a
105mm cannon mounted in a low-profile, fully stabilized, "shoot-on-the-move"
turret and integrated into the Stryker chassis. It carries 18 rounds of NATO-
standard 105mm main gun ammunition; 400 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition; and
3,400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. It destroys enemy vehicles, equipment and
hardened positions with its bunker and wall-breaching capability.
The MGS LRIP vehicles will be used for various tests and user evaluations
through the fourth quarter of 2007. The Milestone C decision to begin full-
rate production of the MGS variant is slated for the fourth quarter of 2007 as
well.
Stryker is a family of eight-wheel-drive combat vehicles that can travel
at speeds up to 62 mph on highways, with a range of 312 miles. It operates
with the latest C4ISR equipment as well as detectors for nuclear, biological
and chemical weapons. In addition to the MGS, Stryker vehicle configurations
include: the nuclear, biological and chemical detection vehicle; anti-tank
guided missile and medical evacuation vehicles; and carriers for mortars,
engineer squads, command groups, and fire-support teams. The Mobile Gun
System has more than 70 percent common components with the rest of the 310
Strykers that comprise a brigade combat team, which eases the unit's training
and logistics burden.
The Army will have six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams by 2008. Stryker is
the Army's highest-priority production combat vehicle program and the
centerpiece of the ongoing Army Transformation. Significantly lighter and
more transportable than existing tanks and armored vehicles, Stryker fulfills
an immediate requirement to equip a strategically deployable (C-17/C-5) and
operationally deployable (C-130) brigade capable of rapid movement anywhere on
the globe in a combat-ready configuration. Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have
operated with "historically high" mission availability rates in Iraq since
October 2003, demonstrating the value of a force that can move rapidly as a
cohesive and networked combined-arms combat team.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs
approximately 71,900 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.2 billion.
The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and
technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;
shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information
about the company can be found at http://www.generaldynamics.com
SOURCE General Dynamics Land Systems
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Related links:
http://www.generaldynamics.com
http://www.gdls.com
CONTACT:
Rae Higgins of General Dynamics Land Systems,
+1-586-825-4610, or higginra@gdls.com
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