Thread by @nicholadrummond

CAN AN 8X8 BE AN IFV? (Thread)
Interesting conversation with a US Army 2-star at #IAV2022 about the role of the turreted Stryker Dragoon. I asked whether it's an IFV and, if so, can be used to enable infantry to dismount on the objective?
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The answer depends on the threat. If you know your enemy is equipped with weapons designed to defeat armour, infantry will dismount early and conduct the final assault on foot, while their Strykers move to the best possible position from which to provide fire support.
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However, if an enemy only has light weapons, and assuming the terrain allows it, you might manoeuvre right onto an objective, The Stryker's speed and agility is a form of protection in itself and can enable an extremely rapid assault, especially in urban situations.
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The real point of Stryker and Stryker Dragoon is not to replace well-protected tracked IFVs, but to deliver dismounted infantry mass. However, a turreted 30x173 mm cannon is recognition that the future battlespace will be much more lethal and unpredictable.
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Our vision of future manoeuvre warfare envisages rapid deployments, units operating independently in small packets, constantly moving to avoid being targeted, and unexpected meeting engagements. Our traditional concept of set-piece attacks and defence may be redundant.
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Head-on clashes are likely to be costly and risky, which is why we are prioritising the Deep Battle over the Close Battle. This means Infantry and Reconnaissance units will need to screen deep fires assets. But vehicles equipped with only a 12.7 mm MG cannot do this.
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Ultimately, the Stryker Dragoon will be used differently from OMFV, which is why the US Army describes it as an ICV not an IFV. Despite different roles, the need for a proper cannon for both vehicle types has been fully established and remains paramount. END.
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