The gripes stem from a litany of problems, including a computer system that constantly locks up, extremely high heat in the crew compartment and a shortage of spare parts. In one case, a key part was held up in customs on its way to Iraq, a problem one Soldier recognizes is a result of a new system being pushed into service before it’s ready.
"The concept is good, but they still have a lot of issues to work out on it," said Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Teimeier, Alpha, 4/9’s MGS platoon sergeant and a tanker by trade.
Teething problems are not unusual. At one time the Abrams was deemed unsuited to Middle East conditions and the Stinger anti-aircraft missile too complicated for soldiers to use. These are frustrating issues for the soldiers to deal with, but their frustrations should make the weapon better.
The real problem is that the war is not a proper test for the main weapon:
Where there is no debate is in the lethality of the vehicle’s firepower.
But Soldiers in the middle of a tough counterinsurgency fight here in Diyala province say commanders are reluctant to use the vehicle’s lethal gun on enemy strongholds out of concern of killing or wounding civilians. As a result, many of the dozens of MGS vehicles go unused while precision air strikes have become increasingly prevalent -- along with the usual Soldier-driven raids.
That’s got MGS drivers here frustrated. Not only do they have to deal with a complex system that gives them fits, but when it is working, they’re not allowed to employ the vehicle in combat.
"You can kick down doors and risk losing our guys," Handrahan said. "Or I can just knock down the building from a [kilometer] away and call it a day."
The cannon is the reason for its existence. But in combat, the commanders prefer to call in GPS bombs. The Air Force has proven it can kill the targets the Army designates without friendly fire killing our forces. And the Army has the luxury of calling in the air to kill the targets. And less charitably, if something goes wrong the Air Force gets blamed.
In a high intensity conflict, however, Army units will want the Stryker Mobile Gun System's 105mm fire that can be use in seconds rather than the minutes for Army indirect fire to arrive or longer for getting Air Force support.
This will be a useful weapon system. Iraq is providing opportunities for identifying flaws without opportunities to demonstrate usefulness. Give it time.
