Defense News - The United States Army faces a critical challenge as it grapples with the absence of a viable active protection system (APS) for its Stryker armored fighting vehicles, a senior two-star general has disclosed. APS, a crucial element in armored vehicles, serves to thwart anti-tank weapons, bolstering the survivability of soldiers in combat.
Despite recent attempts to integrate a suitable APS, the Army is still without an effective solution that aligns with the size, weight, and power requirements of the Stryker vehicles. Major General Glenn Dean, the program executive officer for ground combat systems, conceded in a recent statement to Breaking Defense that the search for an adequate technical solution has proven elusive over the years.
“We have been unable to find a technical solution adequate for Stryker,” Maj. Gen. Dean remarked. “Although we continue to keep an eye on what the commercial space may bring and what our partners in the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command are working on.”
The absence of an APS renders the Stryker vulnerable to modern anti-tank weapons such as Russia Kornet and China HJ-8 guided missiles. Even after completing characterization testing in September of a potential APS solution named StrikeShield, produced by Rheinmetall and touted as one of the world most advanced protection systems, the Army faces obstacles.
StrikeShield boasts rapid reaction times during ambushes, neutralizing missiles before they reach the platform. However, preliminary findings highlight "core platform integration challenges" if Rheinmetall APS were to be selected for the Stryker.
Previous considerations included the Iron Curtain APS developed by Virginia-based firm Artis, aimed at enhancing the Stryker survivability. Despite its conceptual success, Army leaders concluded that the system would demand excessive time and financial resources for maturation.
As the Army continues its pursuit of an effective APS for the Stryker, uncertainties linger, and the need for a comprehensive solution remains paramount to ensure the safety and protection of soldiers in the face of evolving anti-tank threats.
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