The Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment won't get its hands on the Army's upgraded Stryker vehicle until next year, but when they do, the unit's soldiers will already have plenty of practice driving it.
Members of the unit's 3rd Battalion went through a "virtual fielding" of the new light armored vehicle — which has a 30mm cannon, an upgrade from the 50 caliber machine-gun — on March 30 at the Joint Multinational Simulations Center at Grafenwoehr, Germany, according to an Army release.
"This training was very useful, especially for the bigger crews," Pfc. Phillip Cob, a Stryker driver, said in the release. "We got a chance to see how it would react in a defensive position, in which we may have to protect an area from enemy forces. I have a feel for how it will drive and react now, because it's not the same as our current vehicles, and the gun is heavier."
The simulation includes scenarios where a gun and dismounted crews face other light armored vehicles, as well as virtual gunnery. The training allows soldiers to get a head start on learning to operate the new equipment, but it also saves money in fuel and ammunition.
"It does it in a financially smart way, and it's an opportunity to get multiple repetitions," said Maj. James Anderson, the regiment's force modernization officer.
It'll be another year before the regiment begins working with the actual upgunned Strykers, but the Army received the first prototypes for testing back in October.
The vehicle, officially dubbed the XM1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicle and known as the Dragoon, nearly sets a record for time from concept to fielding, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel Allyn said last year.
It's the result of an April 2015 Urgent Operational Needs Statement to fast-track the upgraded Stryker, based on the heightened tensions between Russia and NATO in eastern Europe.
"The Russians, it turns out, had upgraded and fielded significant capabilities while we were engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan," Allyn said.
As photos of Russian armored personnel carriers were released during the invasion of Ukraine's Crimea region, the Army realized that the Stryker's .50 cal wouldn't be enough.
The vehicle now has a Kongsberg MCT-30mm Weapon System with a remotely-operated, unmanned turret; a new, fully-integrated commander's station; and upgraded driveline component and hull modifications, according to information from Program Executive Office-Ground Combat Systems.
Once testing is complete and production is approved, 2nd Cavalry Regiment is scheduled to get their new Strykers in May 2018.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
