Bomb-tough London Strykers delivered to U.S.

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY
31 May 2011


Bomb-tough London Strykers delivered to U.S. - MANUFACTURING: New hulls on light armored vehicles engineered in Forest City.
The U.S. Army has received its latest Stryker, with a new, made-in-London bomb-resistant hull.
General Dynamics Land Systems has delivered 150 of the armored vehicles ahead of schedule and will see action in “theatre of operations” later this year, said Lori Grein, public affairs official with the U.S. Army.
“The Stryker double-v hull (DVH) is a robust program that has the full support of the army and OSD (Office of the Secretary of Defense). It is truly a good-news story for the Army,” she said in an e-mail interview.
“The first 150 production models have been delivered slightly ahead of schedule . . . The last of the DVH vehicles should be delivered in the spring, 2012.”
A total of 450 Stryker DVH vehicles will be shipped to the army, by the spring of 2012.
GDLS engineers in London designed the hull to better protect against improvised explosive device, commonly known as the roadside bomb, in Afghanistan.
In addition to the new hull design, other improvements include:
- Improved suspension to accommodate additional weight.
- Higher weight class tires.
- Blast-attenuating seats for all positions.
- Integrated kits.
- A height management system designed to improve protection by allowing the vehicle to ride higher off the ground.
“The rapid turnaround of the DVH is responsiveness at its best,” said Col. Robert Schumitz in a release.
“Soldier survivability is the army’s No. 1 priority. Once we determined that the DVH effort was an achievable and acceptable risk, we swiftly engaged in executing the . . . program.”
The new Strykers were tested extensively by GDLS and the army at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and the Army’s National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. The armored vehicles went through live fire testing concentrated on protection, safety, performance, reliability and durability.
“This was designed by one of our young engineers here in London,” said Ken Yamashita, GDLS-Canada spokesperson.
“We are very proud of its survivability that is a key focus for us because of the dangerous mission soldiers are facing in Afghanistan. To be able to develop this significant leap in technology in London makes us very proud.”
The double-v hull will also be featured on LAV III upgrades GDLS in London is making for the Canadian armed forces.
Production of the new Strykers took less than one year.
The next Stryker brigade deploys to Afghanistan in July. GDLS makes 10 different versions of the Stryker, of which the double-v hull will be integrated into eight. (Source: The London Free Press – by Norman DeBono)


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