The 2d Cavalry Regiment, the longest
serving cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army, received its first 30 mm
Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon (ICVD), named after the
soldiers who serve in 2CR known as “Dragoons,” on Rose Barracks,
Germany, December 8, 2017.
The
2d Cavalry Regiment, the longest serving cavalry regiment in the U.S.
Army, received its first 30 mm Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle -
Dragoon (ICVD), named after the soldiers who serve in 2CR known as
“Dragoons,” on Rose Barracks, Germany, December 8, 2017. (Picture source
U.S. DoD)
This upgraded Stryker has a
remotely-operated 30mm cannon weapon system, 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. It was created to fill a capability gap in
the European theater that puts Soldiers at unacceptable risk. Since
publication of the urgent operational needs statement in 2015, this new
system has undergone a rapid acquisitions process in order to provide
2CR with a needed capability.
This variant increases lethality and
provides 2CR the additional assets needed to defend the NATO Alliance
against any adversaries if called to do so. More ICVDs are scheduled to
arrive over the next month. Dragoons will be equipped with the platform
to conduct an End User Test and Evaluation (EUTE) at Hohenfels Training
Area in April 2018. Following this, fielding will begin with 1st
Squadron, 2CR receiving the ICVD at Bemowo Piskie Training Area during
their NATO Enhanced Forward Presence rotation. The rest of the Regiment
will receive the new vehicles at Rose Barracks toward the end of the
fiscal year and into the beginning of 2019.
By next summer, the Strykers are
expected to be on the road traveling across Eastern Europe in support of
Saber Strike ‘18, the United States Army Europe’s largest exercise of
the year.
