100 Oshkosh Defense Stryker MCWS 30mm Medium Caliber Weapon Systems in Service with US Army.

During the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 Annual Meeting, American Company Oshkosh Defense displayed its cutting-edge 30mm Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS) integrated on the Stryker Double V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV). This next-generation lethality upgrade significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs), offering greater firepower, increased accuracy, and extended engagement ranges, crucial for modern warfare environments.
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An Oshkosh Defense Stryker vehicle equipped with the 30mm Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS), featuring an additional Javelin missile launcher for enhanced anti-armor capability, on display at AUSA 2024. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The 30mm MCWS, developed by Oshkosh Defense, represents a significant leap in combat capabilities for the U.S. Army's Stryker platform. The primary armament of the system is the XM813 30mm chain gun, a powerful, automatic cannon capable of engaging a wide range of threats. The XM813 provides both single-shot and automatic firing modes, with a rate of fire of up to 200 rounds per minute. The cannon is highly versatile, designed to fire a variety of 30mm munitions, including armor-piercing rounds, high-explosive incendiary (HEI) shells, and programmable airburst munitions. This gives SBCTs the ability to effectively engage enemy infantry, light armor, fortifications, and even aerial threats such as drones and helicopters.

In addition to the XM813, the MCWS also integrates a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun, providing supplemental firepower for engaging soft targets and infantry at close to medium ranges. The 7.62mm machine gun can be used independently of the 30mm cannon, allowing the crew to switch between weapons based on the nature of the target, which conserves ammunition for the primary weapon.

The Stryker Double V Hull (DVH) is an upgraded version of the Stryker M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), designed to enhance crew survivability and vehicle resilience against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines. The primary improvement in the DVH design is the double V-shaped hull, which helps to deflect blasts from underneath the vehicle, reducing the impact of explosions on the crew compartment. This hull design, along with enhanced armor and suspension upgrades, significantly increases the vehicle's protection against explosive threats, while maintaining the Stryker's mobility and versatility in combat. The DVH variant is part of ongoing efforts to improve the survivability and effectiveness of armored vehicles in modern conflict zones.

At AUSA 2024, Oshkosh presented other armament integration on the MCWS turret such as Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launcher. The Javelin missile system provides a highly effective solution for engaging and neutralizing heavily armored vehicles, including main battle tanks, from longer ranges. The combination of the 30mm cannon and the Javelin missile launcher transforms the Stryker vehicle into a multi-role platform capable of engaging diverse battlefield threats.

In terms of targeting and fire control, the Oshkosh MCWS is equipped with an advanced fire control system that includes integrated day/night optics, thermal imaging, and a laser rangefinder. This ensures precise targeting and tracking in various environmental conditions and enhances the system’s accuracy over extended engagement ranges. The fire control system is linked to a stabilization system that allows the Stryker vehicle to engage targets while on the move, further improving combat effectiveness in dynamic battlefield situations.

A crucial milestone in the development and fielding of the Oshkosh MCWS occurred in May 2024, when the system completed Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E). The rigorous testing phase allowed soldiers to evaluate the weapon system in real-world, operational conditions, ensuring its reliability and effectiveness on the battlefield. FOT&E is a vital step in the acquisition process, providing direct feedback from soldiers and verifying that the system meets the Army’s stringent operational requirements.

Soldiers’ assessments during FOT&E highlighted the MCWS’s increased lethality, accuracy, and ease of use, reinforcing the system’s readiness for deployment. This comprehensive testing has paved the way for the system’s integration into active SBCT units.

To date, Oshkosh Defense has delivered over 100 units of the MCWS, with further deliveries expected to support the system's full fielding in early 2025. This milestone represents the U.S. Army's continued efforts to modernize its armored vehicle fleet, ensuring that soldiers are equipped with the best technology available to maintain a tactical advantage on the battlefield.

As the U.S. Army gears up to field the upgraded Stryker Double V Hull vehicles equipped with the 30mm MCWS, the AUSA 2024 demonstration showcased the future of SBCT capabilities, underlining the Army’s commitment to delivering increased lethality and adaptability to its armored forces.