The US Army was looking to improve firepower of the baseline M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicle. Its 12.7 mm heavy machine gun is not particularly effective against modern armored vehicles. In 2015 the US Army approved a lethality upgrade by equipping a total of 81 Strykers with 30 mm unmanned turrets. This significantly increased firepower of the Stryker while preserving its mobility. The first upgraded vehicle, designated XM1296, was delivered for testing and evaluation in 2016. Its official designation is Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Dragoon, or ICVD. First operational vehicle was delivered to the US Army in 2017. Existing M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles can be upgraded to the M1296 Dragoon standard. It is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems.

Modifications were made to the hull roof of the Stryker in order to install a Kongsberg unmanned turret with an Mk.44 Bushmaster II 30 mm cannon. This added around two tons of weight to the vehicle. The new cannon has significantly increased lethality, range and accuracy over the previous M2 heavy machine gun. It can effectively engage lightly armored vehicles up to a range of 3 000 m. This cannon also fires airburst rounds that explode above the target. It allows to hit people hiding in trenches and behind walls. Airburst rounds are also effective against unmanned aerial vehicles. The canon has a dual-feed system so the gunner can rapidly switch between ammunition types. A total of 156 ready rounds are stored in the turret (78 rounds per side). During the trial the US Army officials were impressed with performance of this 30 mm cannon weapon.

There is also an M240 coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. A total of 400 ready rounds are stored in the turret. Additional rounds can be carried inside the hull.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US M1296 Dragoon Armored Personnel Carrier was attached to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment then deployed to Germany during 2020. Comes clad in a layer of snow. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: October 2022

Historical Account: "Protection" - The M1296 Dragoon is a well protected and well armed Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). However it lacks protections for a true wheeled IFV. Still though it is better protected than many other contemporary armored personnel carriers, including Russian and Chinese designs. Front arc withstands hits from 14.5 mm heavy machine gun rounds. All-round protection is against 7.62 mm NATO ball rounds. A ceramic add-on armor can be fitted to give all-round protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. Interior of the vehicle is lined with Kevlar liner in order to protect the crew and passengers from spalling. This vehicle was designed to survive mine blasts. It is claimed that Stryker series vehicles are superior to other armored personnel carriers regarding survivability against mines and improvised explosive devices. Fuel tanks are mounted externally and are designed to blow away from the hull in the event of explosion. Vehicle is fitted with automatic fire suppression and NBC protection systems. Vehicles employed in combat zones can be fitted fitted with steel cages, called slat armor, that provides protection against anti-tank rockets and missiles. Recently an explosive reactive armor kit was designed for this vehicle.