- Yes
- No
History
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States Army felt the need to adapt to the post-Cold War conditions. At that time, the U.S. ground forces was huge and powerful, but relatively less flexible. In October 1999, U.S. Army outlined a transformation plan, named ‘Objective Force’. This would have the army adapt a flexible doctrine for rapid deployment, and ready for variety of operations.
The Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) was introduced as a part of the plan. IAV was intended to fill the capability gap between heavier M2/M3 Bradley and lighter Humvee, until the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles are become operational.
The General Dynamics Canada and General Motors were partnered to enter IAV competition. The GDLS-GM team’s suggestion was LAV III based IAV. Since it was considered to be the the best off-the-shelf vehicle, the Army chose it. In February 2002, the Army christened IAV as ‘Stryker’, after the two Medal of Honor recipients: Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker and Specialist Four Robert F. Stryker.
The Stryker featured modular design for wide range of variants. One of them is the M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle, a dedicated anti-tank variant. As of 2022, the Army operates 120 M1134s.
Design
Power Train
Just like other Stryker variants, M1134 is powered by Caterpillar 3126 I6 turbocharged 7.2-liter 6-cylinder JP8/diesel engine. The power output is 350 hp.
The transmission is Allison MD3066P, with 6 forward and 1 reverse gear.
Protection
Hull of M1134 is built with 0.5 in (12.7 mm)-thick high hardness steel. For additional protection, MEXAS 2C ceramic composite armor can be bolted on. The MEXAS gives M1134 an all-around 14.5 mm AP protection.
Also, the slat armor is used for protection against rocket propelled grenade.
Armament
M1134’s primary armament is Elevated TOW System (ETS). ETS is consisted of two TOW missile tubes, Modified Improved Target Acquisition System (MITAS) and four M6 smoke grenade launchers. It can be rotated 360°, and for firing the launcher can be elevated from -20° to +30°. Slew rate is 40°/s for traverse, 15°/s for elevation.
The primary weapon sight, MITAS has a 2nd generation FLIR and laser rangefinder. The daylight and thermal sight has two zoom level, 4× for WFOV and 12× for NFOV.
ETS could be lowered by 1.8 ft (550 mm) for transportation on conveyances or extended travel. Lowering the launcher is not required for movement.
M1134 could use all kinds of TOW missiles including BGM-71E/F TOW-2A/B and BGM-71H TOW BB.
As a secondary weapon, one M240 machine gun is mounted on commander’s hatch. However this should be unloaded and stowed prior to the missile launch.
Specifications
Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Length: 23.91 ft (7.29 m)
Width: 12.48 ft (3.81 m)
Height: 9.95 ft (3.03 m)
Weight:
- Curb: 38,327 lb (17,385 kg)
- Combat: 40,906 lb (18,555 kg)
Engine: Caterpillar 3126 I6 7.2-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged JP8/diesel engine (350 hp)
Transmission: Allison MD3066P (6 forward, 1 reverse)
Performances:
- Maximum speed: 62.8 mph (101 km/h)
- Maximum reverse speed: 7.5 mph (12 km/h)
- Maximum grade: 60%
- Maximum side slope: 30%
- Maximum vertical step: 1.97 ft (0.6 m)
- Maximum trench crossing: 6.56 ft (2 m)
- Maximum fording depth: 4.26 ft (1.3 m)
Armor:
- Hull: 0.5 in (12.7 mm) HHS with spall liner
- Add-on: MEXAS 2C
Armament:
- Primary: Elevated TOW System
- Traverse: 360°
- Traverse rate: 40°/s
- Elevation: -20° ~ +30°
- Elevation rate: 15°/s
- Loading system: manual
- Secondary:
- 1× 7.62 mm M240B
- Traverse: ±120°
- Elevation: -20° ~ +60°
- 4× M6 smoke grenade launchers
- 1× 7.62 mm M240B
Ammunition:
- 12× BGM-71E/F/H TOW-2 missiles (2 in launcher, 10 in stowage rack)
- 2,000× 7.62 mm rounds
- 16× 66 mm smoke grenades
Fire control and vision equipment:
-
Primary weapon sight: Modified Improved Target Acquisition System
- Magnification: 4/12×
- FLIR: 2nd gen
- Rangefinder: Laser
-
Vision devices:
- Driver: 3× M17 Periscopes
- Commander: 7× M45 Periscopes
Sources
- Antitank Guided Missile M1134 Stryker from American Fighting Vehicle Database
- ATP 3-21.91 Stryker Brigade Combat Team Weapons Troop (May 2017) (Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution will be unlimited)
- M1134 (Stryker) American 8x8 Armored Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle from OE Data Integration Network
- Mini Color Series 7515 - Stryker Interim Armored Vehicle by Carl Schulze & Ralph Zwilling
- ST 3-22.6 Stryker Brigade Combat Team Antiarmor Company and Platoon Leaders’ Handbook (June 2009) (Distribution Restriction: Approved for Public Release, Distribution is unlimited)
- Stryker Interim Combat Vehicle: The Stryker and LAV III in US and Canadian Service, 1999–2020 by David Grummitt