Military Channel

[Robert Ryan]

Last night I watched a report on new vehicle ( to me anyway) that the Army Stryker Brigade has. The report called it a Stryker vehicle, it weighs 40,000 lbs, 23.5 feet high. There were 3 different types of this vehicle profiled the one with the .50 cal, a auto grenade launcher, and medical vehicle. I couldn't believe some of the things this vehicle could do. The weapons systems were controlled inside the vehicle where the operator could see on a TV screen what he was shooting at. The turrert needed no gunner since the weapon was activated by the vehicle commander. It was strange seeing a .50 cal being fired with a gunner in the turrett. The vehicle was used in Iraq by the stryker brigade it took a hit from an IED, the vehicle was lifted to one side and came back down on all wheels, one soldier suffered minor injures from the impact. Wow, I was sure after seeing the explosion there would be casualties, but only minor injuries to one soldier. Man I thought APC's in Nam where good, but thing sure is something else. The technology of warfare sure has come along way. Guess since I've been retired 17 years now that should be expected.