The U.S. Army has begun field testing the first prototype of its new Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) upgraded with a more lethal and long-range 30 mm cannon meant to confer fire superiority on combat units battling Russian Army forces in a future conflict.

The "XM1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicle" nicknamed "Dragoon" mounts a Kongsberg MCT-30 mm Weapon System on a remotely-operated, unmanned weapons turret. The turret also deploys a new, fully-integrated commander's station

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Arming Strykers with the rapid fire 30 mm cannon will not interfere with one of the ICV's main missions: transporting a nine-man infantry squad onto the battlefield. The 30 mm autocannon will increase the Stryker Dragoon's lethality against Russian light armor vehicles such as the BPM-97 armored personnel carrier while preserving its wheeled mobility advantages.

The Stryker Dragoon will next go through a test phase before entering full production. This weapon will reach U.S. troops in Europe by May 2018.

The Army has greatly boosted its combat power in Europe since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The U.S. has also deployed more of its soldiers and equipment to Europe to assure America's NATO allies and deter further Russian aggression.

The U.S. armed forces now have over 33,000 soldiers deployed to Europe. In addition, the Army has begun rotating an armored Brigade Combat Team for a full nine-month deployment to Europe.

The 30 mm autocannon is dual-fed from two ammunition boxes, each containing 150 30 mm rounds for armor piercing or anti-personnel work.

Test firings of Kongsberg's 30 mm autocannon showed increased lethality and accuracy over the standard .50 caliber machine gun at ranges at ranges from 600 meters to 1,550 meters.

Stryker Dragoons are expected to give U.S. infantry greater fire superiority so they can end firefights quicker. The 30 mm autocannon can smash targets at a range over 2,000 meters.

The Army in 2015 approved equipping 81 of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's Strykers with 30 mm autocannons after the unit requested the upgrade. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment put in an Urgent Operational Needs Statement to fast-track an upgraded version of the Stryker Dragoon.

TagsXM1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Stryker Dragoon, Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle, U.S. Army, Kongsberg MCT-30 mm Weapon System