Engineer Squad Vehicle M1132 Stryker at Fort Bliss, Texas.
This view highlights the headlight extensions and the Jettison Fitting Kit (JFK) mounted to the underside of the M1132's nose. Attachments are mounted to the JFK via a pin in the top and two clevises on the bottom. If the attached equipment gets hung up on an obstacle or otherwise needs to be detached in an emergency, the kit provides the capability to jettison the equipment. These vehicles belong to the 29th Engineer Company and are taking part in anti-improvised explosive device training. (Picture taken 14 Oct 2011 by SSG Jason Ragucci; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
This vehicle is demonstrating the Surface Mine Plow (SMP) to members of the Japanese Self-Defense Force during Operation Orient Shield 12. The SMP weighs 2900lb (1300kg) and is comprised of 21 blades which are independently suspended. The chains in front of the plow are intended to detonate tilt mines, and are held in place by two-piece springs. The yellow-tipped black poles on the rear of the plow are part of the magnetic signature duplicator (MSD) system which protects the vehicle from magnetic-fused mines. The MSD detonates these mines ahead of the vehicle and is run off of the vehicle's 24 volt power system. The SMP clears a lane 152" (387cm) wide, and on flat terrain the vehicle can clear a lane at up to 9mph (15kph). When in use, the plow is 180" (450cm) wide, but the outer sections can be folded to reduce the width to 110" (280cm) for shipment and travel. The white and red posts at the ends of the plow assist the driver with knowing where the device reaches. One of the pole distribution units of the Lane Marking System (LMS) can be seen hanging off of the vehicle's hull rear. (Picture taken 26 Oct 2012 by MAJ Randall Baucom; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
The SMP is raised in this image. The SMP is raised and lowered by its own hydraulic system that runs off of the vehicle's hydraulic pump. (Picture taken 26 Oct 2012 by MAJ Randall Baucom; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
This vehicle, belonging to 1st Platoon, 38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, is fitted with the Straight Obstacle Blade (SOB). The SOB weighs 2780lb (1260kg) and can clear obstacles, fill trenches, and provide light dozing work. The blade is 120" (300cm) wide and 46.1" (117cm) tall, and the bottom has hardened steel cutting edge attachments. The SOB can operate at a fixed position selected by the driver or it can float on the terrain. The SOB protects the vehicle against damage from ramming an obstacle too hard by incorporating an energy absorption mechanism. Note that with the attached equipment, slat armor is unable to be mounted to the vehicle's front. This vehicle was taking part in Operation Raider Harvest. (Picture taken 10 Jan 2008 by SGT John Crosby; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
In this image, we can see the stowage rack above the rear ramp and the position of the two LMS units. The LMS units on the vehicle closer to the camera are empty. These vehicles are with the 38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and were taking part in Exercise Raider Focus. (Picture taken 14 Feb 2012 by SPC Reese Von Rogatsz; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
This solder from the 73rd Combat Engineer Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, is displaying his vehicle to guests. Folding seats have replaced the earlier passenger benches in the rear compartment. Directly to the right of the squad leader's position is the control unit for the LMS with the red toggles along the bottom, and above this and angled downward is the control unit for the MSD system. Note the image on the squad leader's video display terminal. (Picture taken 8 Nov 2012 by SGT Michael Blalack; available from Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.)
