Rumsfeld, Iraq and Transformation

[gstar]

In regards to the M113 versus Stryker for Iraq wouldnt a wheeled vehicle like the Stryker be better for dealing with IEDs (which have caused the most deaths)?

 

[pbi]

Not necessarily. CJTF76 here in Afgh has suffered several serious IED attacks on convoys, all of which contained wheeled vehicles. The only "armour" the US has here are the U/A HMMVWs. At least two of these have been destroyed by IEDs while I have been here, with fatal results. IEDs have been rigged in the Mideast that have killed MBTs (Merkava and, IIRC, M1). No type of vehicle is really "proof" against IEDs if the bombers can access enough HE.

The M113 will probably be relatively OK if it has lots of armour, but its flat slab sides and flat bottom traditionally rendered it vulnerable to attack by several different means. Hopefully the combination of add-on kits of various will keep the US soldiers safe. Cheers.

 

[JasonH]

And given a good enough blast wouldn't a IED roll a stryker (Given all the right circumstances).

I mean geeze watching the video's being released from iraq these suckers are getten brazen with how big an explosion they use, doesn't seem to be a ceiling to how much they'll use.  :-\

 

[pbi]

Yesterday a 500lb aircraft bomb was confiscated in a weapons cache south of where I am. They make good IEDs that most AFVs cannot withstand. Cheers.