General Dynamics wins additional Stryker contract

General Dynamics announced on 25 October than they have been awarded a $367 million contract by the US Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command for the production and delivery of an additional 177 Stryker combat vehicles equipped with double-V hulls (DVHs).

The double-V hull was developed on an accelerated timeline to provide Stryker-borne soldiers increased protection from the effects of roadside mines and improvised explosive devices.  Recent Army reports indicate that deployed vehicles with the new double-V-hull design are providing significantly increased protection and survivability to soldiers.

According to General Dynamics, this award, combined with previous orders for double-V-hulled Stryker vehicles, will provide the Army with the equivalent of two Stryker DVH brigade combat teams.

Over 320 double-V-hulled Stryker vehicles have been produced so far, under a contract awarded in July 2010 for the production of 450 double-V-hull vehicles.  Engineers and production workers at General Dynamics Land Systems conceived, engineered, manufactured and delivered the first operational vehicles to the Army in May 2011, about 14 months after the double-V hull concept was initially proposed to the Army. 

General Dynamics will deliver double-V hull Stryker vehicles in seven variants under this award: Infantry Carrier, Medical Evacuation Vehicle, Engineers Squad Vehicle, Fire Support Vehicle, Commanders Vehicle, Mortar Carrier Vehicle and Anti-tank Guided Missile Vehicle.  Other configurations of the Stryker include: Reconnaissance Vehicle, Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle and Mobile Gun System.

The company claims that the Stryker family of vehicles is known for high performance as well as versatility, mobility and survivability; with commonality reducing the Army's logistics footprint and minimizing costs; and being fast, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 60 mph, it is lighter, smaller and more readily deployable than any other Army combat vehicle.

Work on double-V-hulled Stryker vehicles is performed in Anniston, Ala., Lima, Ohio, and London, Ontario, Canada. Deliveries will be completed by July 2013.