First U.S. Stryker with 30mm cannon debuts

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army's first Stryker infantry carrier vehicle equipped with a 30mm cannon was delivered to the service on Thursday, the Army said.

Known as the Dragoon, the upgrade prototype features the integration of a Kongsberg MCT-30mm weapon system with a remotely operated, unmanned turret, the service said in a statement.

It also features a fully integrated commander's station, upgraded drive line components and other hull modifications.

The Dragoon came about in response to Russia's 2015 invasion of Ukraine, when service leaders identified a capability gap and that existing weaponry on the vehicle put U.S. forces at risk.

"The Russians, it turns out, had upgraded and fielded significant capabilities while we were engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan," Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Daniel B. Allyn said in the release announcing the prototype.

The Dragoons will be fielded by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Europe beginning May 2018, just more than three years after a March 2015 urgent operational needs statement accelerated the cannon acquisition effort.