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In Detail —— Alternatives to the Mobile Gun System? ——

by T.S. Rea

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Defence Technology  —  March 2004 Does Canada have alternatives to the Mobile Gun System? Tom Rea considers the importance of compact components and the use of mass-efficient armour in the design of modern Armoured Fighting Vehicles [ Ed:  In October 2003, DND approved the purchase of  66 new Mobile Gun Systems (MGS) for the Canadian Forces. Based on the chassis and drivetrain of the Canadian LAV III, the MGS is the direct fire support variant of the US Army’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team concept.  In the US, the MGS has been designated M1128 Stryker. From the outset, the Mobile Gun System  has been widely criticized as being  top- heavy, unstable when firing, and overly vulnerable to hostile fire. Critics question whether  the  MGS’ 105mm main armament  is still  able to defeat opposing armour (very likely to be main battle tanks armed with modern 120mm /125mm main guns). “All his armour wherein he trusted”   or    How to Design a Better Beartrap Author Tom Rea argues that MGS stability and protection problems result from a fundamental flaw in the current design approach  –  putting  chassis components before armour considerations.  Mr. Rea describes an alternative design approach as well as addressing MGS’ main armament limitations. The results of this design approach are illustrated in a hypothetical vehicle designed from the ground up to satisfy the Canadian Forces’ direct fire support  requirements – at a minimal cost.] >  Part 2  —  “... I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue ...”