General Dynamics [GD] is proposing an acquisition strategy to the Army to replace the venerable M113 in Echelons Above Brigade (EAB) with existing Stryker vehicles, officials said.

The Army plans to replace the EAB M113s—and there are around 2,000 of them—around the mid-2030 time period, but under the General Dynamics concept, the replacements could start now, said Gordon Stein, vice president, Stryker and Specialty Wheeled Vehicles, General Dynamics Land Systems.

Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle Photo: U.S. Army
Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle

Photo: U.S. Army

The M113 replacement would fit the current strategy of taking mission equipment off existing flat bottom Strykers from Stryker Brigade Combat Units, reconstituting and freshening up the vehicle, adding the double V hull and putting on new mission equipment, he said at an Army’s annual AUSA symposium last week.

“What’s left over is the flat bottom rolling chassis that could be reconfigured to M113 use,” Stein said.

They could be configured for duties such as to Engineering Squad Vehicle, General Purpose, Infantry Carrier and Command vehicles, the M113s perform today. For example, the reconfigured Stryker could fulfill up to 70 percent of the EAB engineer unit requirement.

“The Stryker is already more survivable and a known asset,” Stein said. These Strykers can also be modernized, by leveraging the modernization work the Army has authorized for Strykers and the double-V hull exchange program.

Aside from a fleet benefit, the EAB Stryker also would “reduce operating costs by more than 50 percent,” he said.