[Cannoneer No. 4]

Is this machine an improvement over the Stryker?

[blanknoone]

No, its not an improvement over the stryker (which used to be known as a LAV) because the stryker is designed as full capability APC. The stryker is much more expensive than 'this vehicle' (SISU) and the uparmored humvee.

The revelevent question is not whether the SISU is better or worse than the stryker, the question is it better or worse than all these uparmored humvees...and the answer is yes, its better, and yes, its cheaper.

The position you could take is that many of the humvees in Iraq be replaced by LAVs, but that is cost prohibitive. They are being replaced with M1114s...but they should be replaced with something better and cheaper (more like a SISU.)

(BTW I am not advocating buying the SISU directly, but I think the approach of cheap COTS stuff for engine/transmission and suspension is definitely the way to go to build a cheap APC...which is what the M1114 is trying to be)

[FreedomPoster]

Does that thing have top hatches so the passengers can provide flank security / RPG grenadier watch & suppression?

[archy]

Is this machine an improvement over the Stryker?

Probably not. Incapable of carrying a full qquad, as vulnerable to AT weapons fire, if lacking some of the specific vulnerabilities of the Stryker's design, and probably unsuitable for C130 carry due to the powered turret.

But it could probably handle being airdropped or LAPSEd from a C130 with the turret replaced by a single or twin-gun protected position, as per the SFOR-marked vehicle shown, and used as a half-squad carrier, two such vehicles could provide mutual support for each other, as per the way the Finns use their SISU vehicles- they're the manufacturer. And as an ambulance vehicle, SISU may also be superior to the Stryker version; I believe the SISU ambulance is arranged to transport four stretcher-carried casualties, same as an M113 tracked evac vehicle; the Stryker ambulance version carries only two.

It's probably not *the* answer, but could be a part of an overall one...which would have included the continued production and use of the military police 4-wheeled ASV instead of Humvees.

The turretless SISU XA-202 command vehicle is probably the closest to Stryker as now contemplated. I'm not certain if they're amphibious or not.