First Dragoon Stryker 30mm delivered to US Army 2d Cavalry Regiment.

The 2d Cavalry Regiment, the longest serving cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army, received its first 30 mm Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon (ICVD), named after the soldiers who serve in 2CR known as “Dragoons,” on Rose Barracks, Germany, December 8, 2017.

The 2d Cavalry Regiment, the longest serving cavalry regiment in the U.S. Army, received its first 30 mm Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon (ICVD), named after the soldiers who serve in 2CR known as “Dragoons,” on Rose Barracks, Germany, December 8, 2017. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

This upgraded Stryker has a remotely-operated 30mm cannon weapon system, unmanned turret, a new, fully-integrated commander's station; and upgraded driveline component and hull modifications, according to information from Program Executive Office-Ground Combat Systems. It was created to fill a capability gap in the European theater that puts Soldiers at unacceptable risk. Since publication of the urgent operational needs statement in 2015, this new system has undergone a rapid acquisitions process in order to provide 2CR with a needed capability.

This variant increases lethality and provides 2CR the additional assets needed to defend the NATO Alliance against any adversaries if called to do so. More ICVDs are scheduled to arrive over the next month. Dragoons will be equipped with the platform to conduct an End User Test and Evaluation (EUTE) at Hohenfels Training Area in April 2018. Following this, fielding will begin with 1st Squadron, 2CR receiving the ICVD at Bemowo Piskie Training Area during their NATO Enhanced Forward Presence rotation. The rest of the Regiment will receive the new vehicles at Rose Barracks toward the end of the fiscal year and into the beginning of 2019.

By next summer, the Strykers are expected to be on the road traveling across Eastern Europe in support of Saber Strike ‘18, the United States Army Europe’s largest exercise of the year.