Stryker and Crew Survive 500 Pound Bomb

[D-n-A]

http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/articles/military_photos_2004101123.asp

The picture is of a U.S. Army Stryker that was hit by a 500 pound roadside bomb in northern Iraq on October 8th. The Stryker was hit on the right side while travelling down the road at about 60 kilometers an hour. The bomb was in a car parked by the side of the road, and went off as the Stryker drove by. The Stryker flipped over one and a half times and skidded about 30 feet. This bomb was so powerful that it knocked out lights in the rooms of soldiers at a base 2400 meters away. There were four soldiers in the Stryker, and none were hurt (aside from a ringing in the ears...). When the Stryker was flipped back upright, it was still able to move under its own power.



http://www.webmutants.com/strategypage/stryker_survives.jpg

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

That is outstanding.  I think the speed it was going may have helped.  I didn't see anywhere as to how close the vehicle was to the car bomb.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Given that they were travelling down the road, and the car was parked on the same side of the road, I'll venture it wasn't too far away. Also let's not forget, this wasn't a concentrated explosion like a mine or RPG. I'll go out on a limb and say it was more like a mighty push or shove, albeit a 500lb one. One of our Sappers should be able to explain better.

 

[MikeM]

Bunged the stryker up pretty damn well too, good to see nobody was seriously injured.

 

[stukirkpatrick]

In the same situation, would one of our LAVs have fared as well?   I'm assuming that we would be able to mount the protective "skirts" that the Striker had, but would the turret complicate things in a roll?

- edit - My question stops at OPSEC.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I doubt it.  The CC may be srewed if he couldn't down in time.  The turret would most likely be done in as well.  They've rolled before and been able to drive off after that.

 

[AmmoTech90]

The key to survival in case like this is distance.  Remember, damage from an explosion tapers off as an inverse square.  If you are right on top you would take 9 times the force of someone 3 feet away, 16 time the force of some one 4 feet away, 100 times the force of someone 10 feet away.  If they had been half as close it could be a very different story.  The frag would probably not be a problem due to the armour (as long as everyone was inside), it would be the blast that would have flipped the vehicle.  Being buttoned up would largely prevent entry of a shockwave, but the movement of the vehicle would of course be translated to those inside which could of course cause some serious injury.  The closer you are, the more violent the movement, the more serious the injuries are.
The skirts shown are for protection against RPGs by the way.

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Ammotech....thanks for a great post, I had no idea about bomb effects.

 

[foerestedwarrior]

The key to survival in case like this is distance.   Remember, damage from an explosion tapers off as an inverse square.   If you are right on top you would take 9 times the force of someone 3 feet away, 16 time the force of some one 4 feet away, 100 times the force of someone 10 feet away.   If they had been half as close it could be a very different story.   The frag would probably not be a problem due to the armour (as long as everyone was inside), it would be the blast that would have flipped the vehicle.   Being buttoned up would largely prevent entry of a shockwave, but the movement of the vehicle would of course be translated to those inside which could of course cause some serious injury.   The closer you are, the more violent the movement, the more serious the injuries are.
The skirts shown are for protection against RPGs by the way.

very informative post, thank you

 

[Farmboy]

Some have not been so lucky.

http://www.thesunlink.com/bsun/local/article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_3250796,00.html

Staff Sgt. Michael Lee Burbank was killed when insurgents steered a bomb-filled pick-up truck, disguised as a produce truck, toward the Stryker convoy he was riding in. 
Standing in the open hatch of his Stryker vehicle, Burbank was exposed to the blast and killed. He was 34.

 

[Kirkhill]

With respect to the Staff Sergeant's memory, riding out of the hatch, a necessary part of commanding a vehicle, doesn't supply anybody any protection.  The 8 or 9 others riding in that vehicle survived, albeit that 4 of them were injured.  I would say that in that particular case the Stryker did its job as well.

Safe Home Sgt Burbank,

 

[Fishbone Jones]

riding out of the hatch, a necessary part of commanding a vehicle, doesn't supply anybody any protection.

No one should be "standing out of the hatch" or "riding out of the hatch". It is NOT a necessary part of commanding a vehicle. This is why people get killed. Your head should be out and shoulders even with the cupola at most. This way your not overly exposed and can drop down to safety and not get tossed out in a rollover. You also have episcopes so you can button up and command from inside if needed.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I agree with recceguy here but perhaps the term "standing" is relative.  Who knows what he was doing at the time.  The aritcle isn't very informative.

 

[frogman]

I am trying to acquire videos and pics for a Vehicle Counter Assault class we are holding in DHS/ICE Miami. If you can assist me or point me int he right directions.  Videos of convoys being attacked and overcoming the assault are helpful.  Thank you in advance.

Frogman

 

[Kirkhill]

Quote from Recceguy:

Quote from: Kirkhill on Yesterday at 12:52:59
riding out of the hatch, a necessary part of commanding a vehicle, doesn't supply anybody any protection.

No one should be "standing out of the hatch" or "riding out of the hatch". It is NOT a necessary part of commanding a vehicle. This is why people get killed. Your head should be out and shoulders even with the cupola at most. This way your not overly exposed and can drop down to safety and not get tossed out in a rollover. You also have episcopes so you can button up and command from inside if needed.

Quote from CFL:

I agree with recceguy here but perhaps the term "standing" is relative. 

Thanks for understanding my lack of precision here CFL.

Both you and Recceguy are correct.  I was wrong and seriously wrong.

Recceguy, in my desire to make the point that the Styker saved lives I allowed myself to be imprecise in my use of language here.  Clearly riding out of the hatch is not desireable practice.

The point I was trying to make is that no vehicle can protect you if you are not inside the vehicle.  I was also trying to make the point that a Crew Commander's duties may sometimes put them in a more exposed and thus vulnerable position than the rest of the crew and therefore there can't be a guarantee that any vehicle will always protect all the crew in every situation.

My error.  My apologies.

Chris.