My real question is: How is this unit better than the upgraded M113? If we are going to use a wheeled troop taxi, why not use the excellent German unit? We could buy more of them. And they would fit 2 inside a C-130, of which I am most assuredly not ignorant.
I can well see the rationale for a vehicle somewhere between a Humvee and the Bradley for moving a squad around behind the lines. It just seems to me that this Stryker is almost as vulnerable to ambush as a Humvee, is not much of an improvement over the Marine LAV, and is phenomenally expensive for something that, if wrongly employed, can obviously be chopped to ribbons by widely distributed and cheap COMBLOC infantry weapons.
Since the vehicle is going to be in the hands of the fighting men very soon, I guess I'll get their opinions firsthand. I remember the long, painful development of the Bradley, which was finally developed to the point where it has served very well. I would be overjoyed if the Stryker could serve as well, too. I think the Army is making too many claims for it.
But it is possible to be ignorant and highly, even if not rightly, suspicious.