I feel for the guys from Ft. Lewis. Not only are they going into a combat zone with a new AFV which is fresh from trials but the Army has decided to add additional weight to it. Two maintenance nightmares in one vehicle.
I seriously doubt the Strykers have had the deficiencies from the trials fixed let alone the issue of adding weight. Imo their engines and transmissions will fail at an unacceptable rate. And they're vulnerable to RPGs?!!! Their losses could be significant. I'll wager a guess there won't be 20% operational in Iraq next April.
Of course there is one wildcard. That is the ingenuity, adaptability, creativity and resourcefulness of the US soldier.
I seriously doubt the Strykers have had the deficiencies from the trials fixed let alone the issue of adding weight.
I recall reading here a couple of years ago that the trials were...adjusted to make sure the Stryker passed. SLB might know more about this.
SLB, Now don't let me down.:-)