Customer Reviews

Stryker Combat Vehicles (New Vanguard)

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The US Army acquired the Stryker family of wheeled combat vehicles to fill a gap between the strategically mobile but foot-slogging light infantry units and the ponderously heavy Abrams and Bradley. In a world where classic tank battles will be very rare, the Strykers meet an important need.

The book is in the standard Osprey New Vanguard format. Author Gordon Rottman describes not only the vehicles themselves, but the origin of the requirements that led to them, the controversies that surrounded them, the new Stryker Brigade Combat Team organization, and the combat debut of the Stryker in Iraq. It's a good if compact treatment of the subject, the brevity being inherent in the format.

Unfortunately, the book is marred by several small errors. On p. 11, the correct designation of the AGS was M8 and not M9. On p. 19, the correct designation of the computer is AN/UYK-128 and not AN/YUK-128. On plate A, the vehicle is armed with a 0.50 cal cachine gun and not a Mk 19 grenade luancher, contrary to the commentary on p. 45. On p. 41, the designation of the Javelin missile system should be M98A1, not M93A1. On p. 42, the first Stryker unit arrived in Kuwait in 2003 and not 2002 (see p.39). This is too many errors for such a small book.

The Stryker is the latest in a long line of controversial vehicles deployed by the US Army. No one vehicle can be all things for all uses. Combat vehicles have always struggled getting a balance of mobility, firepower and protection. Author Gordon Rottman, spent 26 years in the Army and provides a very compelling story in support of the Stryker.

The first quarter of the book reviews the history of wheeled combat vehicles and the development of the Stryker. The issues causing the controversy are well explained. The B&W photos (small, but very crisp and clear) show the interior of the vehicle as well as the exterior. 8 of the pages are in color (2 page 3D color cut away. Five pages cover the variants such as the 105 mm gun system, recon, NBC, ATGM, medical, command, mortar, fire support and engineer. The only criticism I have over the book is that it is small - but then again, it is affordable.

I bought this book to help understand why the Army chose this vehicle over the LAV-25 used by the Marines. The Stryker is almost twice the cost, yet does not have as much firepower and the protection is the same. The book does help clarify the issues. The Stryker is a capable vehicle, used within its limitations; it will serve the Army well. This is a capable book, a very good primer on the Stryker. I think there are enough photos and diagrams to help a modeler, would recommend it to those who want to keep up with current Army trends and armor vehicle development. Not an awesome, must have book, but a solid addition to the library.

I ordered this book as a result of a recent tour of Fort Irwin, where I saw a unit of the 2nd ID training for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. These vehicles are how the Army does business in the 21st century, and this is the only serious book on them. My only complaint is that it isn't anywhere near as long or detailed as many of the excellent books about M1s, Bradleys (I served on them almost twenty years ago), and the like. Highly recommended for anyone who would like to update their knowledge of current Army vehicles.