Interim Armored Vehicle

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Interim Armored Vehicles arrive at Fort Lewis for the 3rd Brigade, 2d Infantry Division, Interim Brigade Combat Team c. 2003

The Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV), previously known as the Medium Armored Vehicle (MAV), was a U.S. Army armored fighting vehicle acquisition program. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and General Motors Defense proposed a vehicle based on the LAV III. The Army selected the LAV III proposal over three other submissions. The LAV III was renamed Stryker.

Shinseki's Army[edit]

In a June 1999 communique, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki said "our heavy forces are too heavy and our light forces lack staying power." He called for heavy units to be "more strategically deployable, and more agile with a smaller footprint, and light forces must be more lethal, survivable, and tactically mobile."[1]

In remarks at Association of the United States Army meeting in October, Shinseki laid out his vision for a lighter, more transportable force. He called for a mid-weight unit that would strike a balance between heavy armor and infantry. Shinseki said such a unit would be especially capable for operations short of war. The Army was to do this by investing in an interim fleet that would herald the way to a much more advanced subsequent generation of vehicles (later called Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles).[2]

Shinseki said one of his goals was to reduce the service's logistics footprint, which makes up 90 percent of its lift requirement. He expected to make this possible by building future fighting vehicles on a common chassis and using mutually compatible ammunition. He proposed that these vehicles be light enough for intra-theater airlift via C-130. He expected that the generation of vehicles after its next fleet would be wheeled, which would be up to 70 percent lighter than the interim fleet.[2]

The technology for Shinseki's desired force was not expected to be ready until beyond 2010. In the interim, Shinseki sought to bring a prototype unit, using commercial off-the-shelf technologies, online by the end of the fiscal year.[2]

Proposals[edit]

The Army conducted a Platform Performance Demonstration at Fort Knox in January 2000. The demonstration was intended to inform the Army about what was available as well as assess each vehicle’s adaptability to the new brigades and their potential for the insertion of new technology to improve its capabilities. Vehicles assessed included the Pandur the M1117, the LAV III and LAV III assault gun variant, the Dragoon APC, the Bionix 25, the LAV 300 Mark II, the 6x6 Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé, the TPz Fuchs, the GDLS Dragoon, the Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light and the M8 Armored Gun System.[3]

Commonality between vehicles was seen as a desired, but not essential characteristic.[4] As of February 2000, the Army believed that most of the Medium Armored Vehicle variants would be based on the infantry carrier vehicle variant. The mobile gun system and howitzer variants would be permitted to share less commonality.[5] In March 2000, the Army confirmed it would award up to two contracts.[6] In February, Major General John Caldwell had said the Army would only award one contract, rather than splitting the contract among two winners.[7] In April, Shinseki said the Army had no preference of wheeled versus tracks but said "management could be pretty challenging," if both wheeled and tracked options were chosen.[8]

The 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, a heavy brigade at Fort Lewis, became the first to be converted into a Stryker Brigade beginning around March 2000.[9] The U.S. Army outfitted the unit with LAV IIIs borrowed from Canada,[10] which served as the main surrogate for the IAV. Others included the Lynx, TPz Fuchs, B1 Centauro and M113.[11]

In April 2000, the Army released its request for proposals for the IAV.[12]

A United Defense AGS rolls off a C-130 for the IAV platform performance demonstration at Fort Knox circa December 1999
A Bionix 25 infantry fighting vehicle mounts a firing ramp at the IAV Platform Performance Demonstration

Four teams submitted proposals:

  • General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and General Motors Defense of Canada proposed a vehicle based on the LAV III.[13] The driveline was re-engineered to accommodate the larger payload requirements of the IAV. Height adjustable suspension was integrated to vary the ride height. The baseline armor was improved to defeat armor-piercing rounds up to 14.5 mm.[14] GDLS would be responsible for the Mobile Gun System, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Reconnaissance vehicle, Medical Evacuation vehicle, and Mortar Carrier.[15]
  • United Defense LP proposed the Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light (MTVL) and the M8 Armored Gun System (AGS), both tracked vehicles. The MTVL was based on the M113 armored personnel carrier and could carry 10 passengers.[13][16] For the mobile gun system requirement, three solutions were offered, the AGS and two variants of the MTVL; one with the AGS turret and 105mm gun, and another with a 90 mm Cockerill turret (called MGS 90).[17][16] United Defense planned to upgrade M113A2 APCs in Army storage to the MTVL standard.[16]
  • ST Kinetics, a subsidiary of the Singapore firm ST Engineering, proposed the Bionix. ST Kinetics said its vehicle would be "100 percent American made" and created a U.S. subsidiary called Vision Kinetics to manage the project. Teledyne Brown Engineering provided integration work. Rather than rely on the private sector, ST Kinetics planned to partner with Army depots for most manufacturing (with the exception of its partnership with the Demmer Corporation, which was to produce the hull).[13]
  • GDLS subsidiary AV Technology and Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug proposed the 6x6 Pandur.[13]
United Defense MTVL is driven onto a heavy equipment transporter for the IAV platform performance demonstration at Fort Knox circa December 1999

In its evaluations, the Army noted that it found neither the wheeled nor the tracked candidates to have any definitive edge over the other. All else being equal, wheeled vehicles generally have less internal volume. However, the Army found the wheeled submissions had adequate space for its requirements. No significant differences in weight or mobility over terrain were seen.[18]

In November 2000, the Army awarded the IAV contract to GM-GDLS. At $4 billion, the deal was the largest combat vehicle purchase since the Bradley Fighting Vehicle program in 1980.[19] In its decision, the Army cited the LAV's greater mobility, particularly its high speed on paved roads.[20] The Army was also impressed by the LAV's armor which, in its baseline configuration, could resist 14.5 mm rounds.[21]

The service rejected a split buy of the M8 AGS offered by UDPL, citing the system's lower top speed and different maintenance requirements. The service said a single fleet would simplify maintenance and allow units to "move as a fighting unit."[19]

At the same time as the contract award, the Army announced a 16-month schedule slip due to additional development work required on the Mobile Gun System and Fire Support Vehicle. The NBC vehicle also required additional integration work. The schedule slippage displeased Shinseki, who pressed GM–GDLS to hasten their work.[19]

GAO's decision denying United Defense's protest in the IAV contract

In December 2000, UDPL filed a challenge to the contract award, forcing the Army to issue a stop-work order. In its protest, UDLP said it's vehicles would be ready one to two years earlier at about half the cost of GM-GDLS's proposal. UDLP also alleged that Army officials had unfairly aided GM-GDLS's proposal by permitting the company to substitute its Stryker ATGM variant for the Mobile Gun System variant due to a two-year schedule slippage in the latter.[22]

The GAO denied UDLP's protest of the award in April 2001.[23]

In February 2002, the Army formally renamed the IAV as the "Stryker" after two unrelated U.S. soldiers who posthumously received the Medal of Honor: Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker, who died in World War II, and Specialist Four Robert F. Stryker, who died in the Vietnam War.[24]

Variants[edit]

Army officials proposed a self-propelled howitzer IAV variant. Officials later tabled this idea as this variant would require considerable technological risk and expense. The service settled on M198 howitzer for its artillery requirement, later to be replaced by the M777 howitzer.[25]

Planned buys as of December 2000:[26]

Comparison with Light and Heavy Brigades[edit]

In 2000, the Army studied the differences between Light, Medium (Interim) and Heavy Brigade Combat Teams. It concluded that Medium Brigades equipped with LAVs would cost 40 percent less to operate than Heavy Brigades. LAVs were expected to go at least 1000 mean miles between failures, compared to 654 for Heavy Brigades. Medium Brigades were expected to move more quickly and provide greater survivability and firepower than Light Brigades.[27]

In September 2002, the Army conducted a Congressionally mandated side-by-side testing of the M113A3 and the Stryker.[28]

Stryker crews operated more effectively in the Stryker. Interior space was less restricted in the Stryker. The quieter ride allowed crews to hold conversations and plan missions. Stryker drivers could sustain longer operations than M113 drivers, who could receive hearing damage after just five hours of continuous operations.[28]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Winograd, Erin Q. (28 June 1999). "Intent Letter Says Heavy Forces Are Too Heavy: Shinseki Hints at Restructuring, Aggressive Changes for the Army". Inside the Army. Vol. 11, no. 25. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 6–8. JSTOR 43984647. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c MacRae, Catherine (14 October 1999). "Service Wants to Be Lighter, Faster, More Lethal: Army Chief of Staff's 'vision' Is Focused on Medium-weight Force". Inside the Army. Vol. 15, no. 41. Inside Washington Publishers. p. 6. JSTOR 43995956. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  3. ^ Clemons, Jon (March–April 2000). "Soldiers Try Out Medium Armor In Fort Knox Demonstrations" (PDF). (United States Army Armor School. Vol. CIX, no. 2. U.S. Army Armor Center. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  4. ^ Baumgardner, Neil (3 December 1999). "Commonality Not an Absolute Must for MAVs, Army Officials Say". Defense Daily. Vol. 204, no. 42. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. ^ Baumgardner, Neil (2 February 2000). "Army Agrees to Evaluate Alternative MAV Acquisition Strategy". Defense Daily. Vol. 205, no. 20. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  6. ^ Baumgardner, Neil (10 March 2000). "Army Opens Possibility of Multiple IAV Awards". Defense Daily. Vol. 205, no. 46. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Caldwell Reaffirms Single Contract Strategy for IAV Program". 22 February 2000. Vol. 205, no. 33. Access Intelligence. 22 February 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  8. ^ Wolfe, Frank (26 April 2000). "Shinseki: Wheeled/Tracked Battalion Would Require More Management". Defense Daily. Vol. 206, no. 18. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  9. ^ Burger, Kim (2 October 2000). "Rigorous Training Expected to Increase Comfort Level: Brigade Team Soldiers Give Up Tanks, Firepower With 'Hard Feelings'". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 39. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 11–12. JSTOR 43985046. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  10. ^ Baumgardner, Neil (2 December 1999). "U.S. Army to Borrow LAV IIIs From Canadian Army". Defense Daily. Vol. 204, no. 41. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  11. ^ Burger, Kim (2 October 2000). "Brigade Combat Team Has Trained Mostly on LAVS: Soldiers Give Praise for Wheeled, Tracked Vehicles at Ft. Lewis". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 39. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 11–12. JSTOR 43985049. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  12. ^ Baumgardner, Neil (10 April 2000). "Army Releases IAV RFP". Defense Daily. Vol. 206, no. 6. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d Burger, Kim (26 June 2000). "VT Kinetics Looks for Foothold in U.S.: Newcomer to Armored Systems Market Offers Tracked Vehicle for IAV". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 25. pp. 4–6. JSTOR 43984833. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  14. ^ Burger, Kim (12 March 2001). "GM-GDLS Hope to Continue With Army Transformation Effort". Inside the Army. Vol. 13, no. 10. Inside Washington Publishers. p. 9. JSTOR 43985309. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  15. ^ "General Motors Trumpets General Dynamics Deal For Meeting IAV Requirements". Defense Daily. Vol. 207, no. 44. Access Intelligence. 1 September 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  16. ^ a b c "United Defense Touts Production Readiness, Deployability For IAV Competition". Defense Daily. Vol. 208, no. 6. Access Intelligence. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  17. ^ Burger, Kim (4 December 2000). "Stockpile May Not Be Suitable for New Lav III: Army Preparing to Procure 105 mm Ammunition for New Gun System". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 48. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 13–14. JSTOR 43985160. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  18. ^ Burger, Kim (17 July 2000). "Performance Evaluation Nearly Complete: Iav Competition Reveals No 'huge Differences' Between Wheels, Tracks". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 28. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 11. JSTOR 43984843. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Burger, Kim (20 November 2000). "LAV Variants Will Require Some Development: Testing of New Interim Vehicle May Upset Army's Fielding Schedule". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 46. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 6–7. JSTOR 43985129. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  20. ^ Burger, Kim (20 November 2000). "Kern Says Vehicle Award Does Not Settle Debate Over Wheels and Tracks". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 46. Inside Washington Publishers. p. 6. JSTOR 43985137. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  21. ^ Burger, Kim (11 December 2000). "UDLP Protests Contract Despite Qualms, Official Says: Army Will Not Override UDLP Protest of IAV, Stop-Work Order Holds". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 49. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 6–8. JSTOR 43985163. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  22. ^ Burger, Kim (15 January 2001). "In-lieu-of Vehicle Helped GM-GDLS Win, Company Says: UDLP Offers Additional Evidence of Army Bias in Favor of LAV III". Inside the Army. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 6–7. JSTOR 43984265. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  23. ^ Winograd, Erin Q. (7 May 2001). "GAO Releases Redacted Decision: UDLP Won't Pursue Further Action to Overturn Army's IAV Decision". Inside the Army. Vol. 13, no. 18. Inside Washington Publishers. JSTOR 43985396. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  24. ^ Marcia, Triggs (April 2002). "Army names interim armored vehicle "Stryker". (Army)". Defense Daily. Vol. 78, no. 3. Access Intelligence. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  25. ^ Burger, Kim (3 July 2000). "New units to get towed artillery: ARMY POSTPONES PLANS TO OUTFIT BCTs WITH SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZERS". Inside the Army. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 5–7. JSTOR 43984843. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  26. ^ Burger, Kim (4 December 2000). "Lav III Will Require $9 Billion Over Lifetime: Integration of Army Systems Brings Interim Vehicle Cost to $6 Billion". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 48. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 11–12. JSTOR 43985149. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  27. ^ Burger, Kim (11 December 2000). "Brigade Teams to Cost 40 Percent Less in O&S Than Heavy Brigades". Inside the Army. Vol. 12, no. 49. Inside Washington Publishers. p. 9. JSTOR 43985173. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  28. ^ a b Winograd, Erin Q. (13 January 2003). "Congressionally Mandated Report Completed: Army: Armored Vehicle Evaluation Confirms Stryker Is Its Best Option". Inside the Army. Vol. 15, no. 2. Inside Washington Publishers. pp. 1, 8–9. JSTOR 24819853. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
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