Site Essentials
- » Site Introduction
- » Comment Policy
- » Stryker Brigade 101
- » FAQ
- » Thank The Troops
- » Support Our Site
- » Contact Us
- » Terms & Conditions
In Memoriam
Browse Archives
Search Archives
Subscribe to SBN
Browse Our Shop
Awards
Stryker drivers of all experience levels are using advanced simulators at Fort Lewis to hone their skills operating the 19-ton armored vehicles.
The $800,000 simulators allow new drivers to become acquainted with the vehicle’s handling and maneuverability and enable experienced drivers to fine-tune their skills without risking injury to soldiers or damage to the $4 million vehicles, Army officials said.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say this training capability is going to save lives in combat, and it’s going to give us a more capable force than we’ve had before,” said Brig Gen. William Troy, deputy commander of Fort Lewis and I Corps, during a short ribbon-cutting ceremony for the simulators Tuesday.
The simulators, known as Common Driver Trainer/Stryker Variants, contain exact replicas of the driver’s compartment in a Stryker. The simulated compartments shake as the driver goes through explosions or over rough terrain and have wrap-around screens that create the appearance of going through an urban neighborhood or mountain terrain, among other environments. The screens can be adjusted to simulate day or night driving.
The simulators let experienced drivers attempt maneuvers that would be risky in training, including driving on ice, down a steep incline and through an exploding roadside bomb.
“I would have loved to have it,” said Lt. Col. Buck James, a former Stryker infantry battalion commander who now directs the post’s Battle Command Training Center. “This is a really, really good tool.” [...]