M1132 Engineer Support Vehicle

Infobox Weapon
name=Stryker


caption=Stryker ESV cite web | url = http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/stryker/index.html | title = Army Fact File - Stryker | accessdate = 2006-07-31]
origin=
type=
is_vehicle=yes
crew=2+9
length= 6.95 m (22.92 ft)
width= 2.72 m (8.97 ft)
height= 2.64 m (8.72 ft)
weight= ICV: 16.47 t (18.12 sh tn) MGS: 18.77 t (20.65 sh tn)
armour= 14.5 mmcite web | url = http://www.army.mil/fact_files_site/stryker/index.html | title = Army Fact File - Stryker | accessdate = 2006-07-31]
primary_armament=M68A1E4 105 mm gun (MGS)
M2 .50 caliber gun or MK19 40 mm grenade launcher mounted in a PROTECTOR M151 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) (ICV)
secondary_armament=.50-cal M2 MG and M240 7.62mm MG (MGS)
engine=diesel
engine_power=260 kW (350 hp)
suspension=8×8 wheeled
speed= 100 km/h (62 mph)
pw_ratio= ICV: 15.8 kW/t (19.3 hp/sh tn)
vehicle_range= 500 km (300 mi)

The Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV) provides maneuver/mobility support capabilities, which include obstacle clearing, in-stride breaching of surface mines, proofing of subsurface mines and smoke generation for local protection

General

The ESV provides the Engineer Squad with highly mobile, protected transport to decisive locations on the battlefield to provide the required mobility and limited counter mobility support to the SBCT. Integrated into the ESV are current obstacle neutralization and lane marking systems and mine detection devices.

Engineers provide organic mobility, force protection and topographic support to the Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT). Their organizational design is optimized for mobility operations that enhance mounted maneuver and dismounted assault in all categories of terrain, to include the urban environment.

Operational Capability

The ESV is based on the ICV due to the close parallels of operational requirements between the two vehicles. The ESV is an organic vehicle to the SBCT maneuver formation and helps maximize commonality of the platform while simultaneously reducing the maintenance footprint and variety of logistics support.

The Engineer element of the Brigade is designed to conduct mobility operations to maintain the momentum of the force. Engineers must be capable of creating lanes through obstacles (to include surface laid and buried minefields) to support rapid maneuver and self-extraction. Engineers must also be capable of rubble reduction to support maneuver, especially in a MOUT environment, until other engineer rubble clearance assets can be brought forward. The operational intent is to bypass obstacles when tactically feasible, utilize stand-off breaching systems where possible and only in an emergency situation utilize mechanical breaching systems that may put the ESV at risk. A system of manned and unmanned (robotics) sensors and clearance devices is required to fully meet this requirement. The ESV with its attachments provides a partial solution to this need, primarily for clearance of hastily emplaced mines on hard surfaces and rubble. The ESV will provide the means for Engineer squad to control future robotic based systems from the protection of the vehicle.

References