M1128 mobile gun system
The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) is an eight-wheeled armored assault gun variant of the Stryker family of vehicles, developed by General Dynamics Land Systems to provide mobile, direct-fire support for U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.[1] It mounts a 105 mm M68A1E4 low-profile tank gun derived from the original M1 Abrams main battle tank, equipped with an autoloader for a rapid 6-second firing cycle and capable of engaging armored vehicles, bunkers, and personnel at ranges up to 2,000 meters.[1] The system carries 18 ready rounds and a total of 18 projectiles, including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and multipurpose rounds, supplemented by a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a remote-operated .50 caliber machine gun for self-defense.[1] Initiated in the late 1990s as part of the U.S. Army's Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) program to fill a firepower gap in light brigades, the MGS contract was awarded to General Dynamics in November 2002 following competitive testing.[1] The vehicle features a three-person crew (commander, gunner, and driver) and is powered by a 350 horsepower Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, achieving a top speed of 60 mph on roads and a range of approximately 330 miles, with a combat weight of about 18.8 metric tons (20.7 short tons).[1] Its wheeled 8x8 configuration allows air transportability via C-130 aircraft, and it provides ballistic and mine protection comparable to other Stryker variants, with options for reactive armor and slat cages against anti-tank threats.[1] Production totaled 142 units, with initial fielding in 2005 and first combat deployment to Iraq in early 2007, where it supported operations in urban environments despite challenges with the autoloader's reliability.[2][1] However, ongoing maintenance issues with the complex 105 mm system, high sustainment costs, and evolving threats from drones and improved enemy armor led to a comprehensive Army review.[1] In May 2021, the U.S. Army announced the full divestiture of the M1128 MGS by the end of fiscal year 2022, reallocating resources to enhance other Stryker configurations like the M1128A1 Dragoon with a 30 mm autocannon for better lethality and affordability.[3] As of 2025, all MGS vehicles have been retired from active service, with no plans for reactivation or export.[3]Development
Background and Requirements
The development of the M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) stemmed from the U.S. Army's post-Cold War transformation efforts in the late 1990s, aimed at creating lighter, more deployable forces capable of rapid response to emerging threats in urban and complex terrains. Following the 1996 cancellation of the M8 Armored Gun System—a tracked light tank intended to replace the obsolete M551 Sheridan—the Army sought an interim solution to fill the gap in direct fire support for infantry units. This need was driven by the strategic shift toward expeditionary operations, where heavy armored divisions like the M1 Abrams were too slow and logistically burdensome for quick global deployment via C-130 aircraft.[1] As part of the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) program, initiated in 1999 under Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki's vision for medium-weight brigades, the MGS variant was designed to equip Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) with mobile, networked firepower. Key requirements included an 8x8 wheeled chassis for high strategic and tactical mobility, air-transportability within 96 hours to any theater, and the ability to provide suppressive direct fires against armored vehicles, bunkers, and fortifications up to 2 kilometers. The system was mandated to integrate with the broader Stryker family, sharing over 70% commonality in parts to reduce logistics costs, while weighing no more than 19 tons to meet rapid deployment thresholds.[4][5] Protection requirements emphasized survivability against small arms, artillery fragments, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with add-on armor kits to enhance ballistic and mine resistance without compromising mobility. Firepower specifications centered on a 105mm rifled gun compatible with standard NATO ammunition, featuring an autoloader for a sustained rate of fire and reduced crew size to three personnel. These parameters were shaped by operational analyses from the 1990s, prioritizing a balance between lethality and deployability over the heavier firepower of main battle tanks, to support infantry assaults in low-to-medium intensity conflicts.[6][7]Competition and Selection
The U.S. Army initiated the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) program in the late 1990s to rapidly acquire a family of medium-weight armored vehicles capable of deployment within 96 hours to support interim brigade combat teams, addressing gaps left by the cancellation of heavier systems like the Crusader and Comanche.[8] The program emphasized wheeled platforms for strategic and operational mobility, with requirements including variants for infantry transport, reconnaissance, and direct fire support via a mobile gun system (MGS).[9] In early 2000, the Army solicited proposals through a competitive source selection process, receiving submissions from multiple contractors. Key competitors included General Motors Defense (in partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems) proposing the wheeled LAV III platform for both infantry carrier and MGS variants; United Defense LP offering a tracked upgrade to the M113A3; and Textron Marine & Land Systems submitting a wheeled version based on the M113A3.[10] Demonstrations and evaluations occurred at Fort Knox in spring 2000, assessing factors such as transportability by C-130 aircraft, speed, protection, and integration potential for variants like the MGS, which required a stabilized 105 mm gun turret for anti-armor and fire support roles.[1] On November 28, 2000, the Army selected the LAV III-based proposal from General Dynamics Land Systems and General Motors Defense as the IAV winner, awarding an initial $4.475 million contract for MGS development followed by a broader $4 billion production agreement for up to 2,131 vehicles across variants, including 300 MGS units.[11] The selection prioritized the wheeled LAV III's balance of mobility, commonality across variants, and rapid production readiness over tracked alternatives, enabling the M1128 MGS to mount a low-profile 105 mm turret on the Stryker chassis for brigade-level direct fire capability.[12] This decision integrated the MGS seamlessly into the Stryker family, avoiding separate competitions for individual variants while meeting operational needs for lightweight, deployable firepower.[8]Production and Fielding
The M1128 Mobile Gun System was manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems at its facilities in London, Ontario, Canada, and Anniston, Alabama, USA. Low-rate initial production (LRIP) began in 2005 following approval from the Defense Acquisition Board, with the first two vehicles delivered to the U.S. Army on December 14, 2005, out of an initial LRIP order of 72 systems.[1] Full-rate production started in 2007 after successful operational testing, with the program achieving initial operational capability that year.[2] In total, 142 M1128 vehicles were produced between 2005 and 2012, significantly fewer than the originally planned 300, due to evolving Army priorities and budget constraints.[13] Fielding of the M1128 occurred primarily to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs), where each brigade's weapons troop was authorized nine vehicles, organized into three platoons of three systems each to provide mobile direct fire support.[14] The systems were integrated alongside other Stryker variants, emphasizing rapid deployment and commonality in logistics. Initial fielding prioritized active SBCTs, with training focused on the vehicle's autoloader and 105 mm gun operations to ensure crew proficiency.[15] The first operational deployment of the M1128 took place in early 2007, when vehicles from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[10] This marked the system's combat debut, with subsequent fielding to other SBCTs supporting rotations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the late 2000s and 2010s. By 2011, all produced units had been delivered and fielded across the Army's operational force.[1]Challenges and Upgrades
The M1128 Mobile Gun System encountered significant development challenges from its inception, as it was initially envisioned as a low-risk variant of the Stryker family requiring minimal modifications, but evolved into a complex integration effort for its 105mm autoloading turret.[7] Key issues included difficulties in adapting the Canadian-origin LAV III chassis to accommodate the bulky M68A1E4 tank gun and its associated automatic loader, leading to delays in testing and certification.[1] These integration problems stemmed from the need to balance firepower with the vehicle's wheeled mobility constraints, resulting in a system that prioritized rapid deployment over long-term reliability.[7] Operationally, the M1128 faced vulnerabilities exposed during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where its flat-bottom hull proved susceptible to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).[16] The vehicle's design, optimized for urban direct-fire support, struggled against evolving insurgent threats, including mine-resistant ambush tactics that highlighted its limited underbody protection compared to later Stryker variants.[17] Crew ergonomics also posed issues, with cramped internal space and small hatches impeding quick egress in combat scenarios, compounded by the absence of adequate climate control in hot environments.[1] Maintenance emerged as a persistent challenge, particularly with the autoloader—the first such system fielded by the U.S. Army—which incurred high sustainment costs due to frequent malfunctions and specialized parts requirements.[18] Over time, the 105mm cannon's obsolescence became evident, as ammunition and fire control systems lagged behind peer threats, exacerbating logistical burdens in theater.[17] By the mid-2010s, these factors contributed to low availability rates, with units reporting troubleshooting difficulties that reduced operational readiness.[1] Efforts to upgrade the M1128 were limited and ultimately deemed insufficient to justify continued investment, as the platform was never retrofitted with the double-V hull configuration adopted by other Strykers for enhanced mine and IED resistance.[18] Minor improvements, such as fire control enhancements and software updates for the autoloader, were implemented during the 2000s to address early reliability issues, but these proved inadequate against rising sustainment expenses.[1] In 2021, the U.S. Army announced the divestment of all 142 M1128 units by fiscal year 2022, redirecting resources to lethality upgrades on conventional Stryker infantry carrier variants, including integration of 30mm autocannons and anti-tank guided missiles.[17] This decision reflected a strategic shift toward modular, cost-effective enhancements across the Stryker fleet rather than sustaining the specialized MGS role.[18]Operational History
Initial Deployments
The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) entered service with the U.S. Army in 2007, following low-rate initial production starting in 2005. The system's initial operational deployment occurred that same year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where it was assigned to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) operating in Iraq. Specifically, the first units were fielded with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 2nd Infantry Division, which deployed to the Diyala Province, including areas around Baqubah.[10] This deployment marked the MGS's combat debut, with nine vehicles integrated into the brigade's structure to provide mobile direct fire support to infantry units. The systems arrived in theater in early 2007 and were rapidly employed in urban and rural operations against insurgent positions, leveraging the vehicle's 105 mm low-recoil gun for precision strikes on hardened targets. Soldiers in the 4th SBCT reported the MGS as effective in providing responsive firepower during patrols and clearing missions, contributing to the brigade's efforts to stabilize volatile regions.[2] Subsequent initial fielding extended to other SBCTs preparing for rotation, with additional MGS platoons (typically three vehicles per platoon) assigned to battalions within the 2nd Infantry Division and later the 25th Infantry Division. By late 2007, the platform had demonstrated its role in rapid deployment scenarios, supporting the Army's modular brigade concept amid ongoing counterinsurgency operations. While early use highlighted the system's mobility advantages in Iraq's terrain, logistical integration with existing Stryker fleets was a key focus during this phase.[1]Combat Engagements
The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) first entered combat service during the U.S. Army's deployments to Iraq, with initial systems arriving in early 2007 as part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. In urban and counterinsurgency operations, the MGS provided rapid direct fire support to Stryker infantry units, effectively breaching walls to create entry points for assaults, demolishing bunkers and machine gun emplacements, and suppressing sniper positions along with mortar teams. Its 105mm M35 gun delivered precise high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds against light armored vehicles and fortified enemy positions, contributing to the brigade's maneuverability in close-quarters battles without the logistical burden of heavier tracked systems. Early operational feedback highlighted the vehicle's reliability in flat, urban terrain, where it fired dozens of rounds per engagement to neutralize threats up to the level of T-62 tanks.[10][1][19] Subsequent rotations in Iraq through 2009 saw the MGS integrated into Stryker Brigade Combat Teams for route clearance and village clearing missions, where its stabilized turret and automatic loader enabled on-the-move firing to protect convoys and infantry advances. Platoons of three MGS vehicles often operated organically within infantry companies, synchronizing fires to suppress insurgent activity during raids, with documented success in destroying improvised explosive device (IED) teams and command posts from standoff ranges exceeding 2 kilometers. The system's ability to carry 18 ready rounds and additional ammunition in the hull supported sustained engagements, though crews noted the need for careful positioning to avoid overexposure in open areas vulnerable to rocket-propelled grenades.[1][13] In Afghanistan, the MGS deployed starting in 2009 with the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team to eastern provinces, adapting to counterinsurgency roles amid challenging mountainous terrain and high altitudes that strained the vehicle's 8x8 wheeled mobility on steep slopes and soft soil. Despite these limitations, it proved effective in providing overwatch and suppressive fire for dismounted patrols and village stability operations, often repositioning to higher ground for better lines of sight. A notable engagement occurred during Operation NASHVILLE in Kandahar Province on October 13, 2010, aimed at disrupting Taliban supply lines along Highway 1. Task Force Yukon, led by Lieutenant Colonel David Benchoff, attached a two-vehicle MGS section from 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment to support Company A, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment's assault on Route TENNESSEE. Sergeant Brandon Haggerton's MGS advanced under fire, firing high-explosive rounds at confirmed enemy positions to suppress Taliban fighters entrenched in grape huts and irrigation ditches, despite dense vegetation degrading thermal imaging accuracy and forcing reliance on visual and infantry spotters. The fires helped secure the route, contributing to the operation's success in killing over 20 insurgents, wounding dozens, and clearing key terrain without U.S. casualties in that phase.[20][21] Throughout its Afghan rotations until 2012, the MGS participated in similar clearing operations in Arghandab and Zhari districts, using precision-guided munitions like the XM329 APFSDS round against fortified compounds and vehicle-borne threats. Crews reported firing in excess of 50 rounds per major engagement to break enemy resistance, though the vehicle's size occasionally restricted access to narrow trails, leading to improvised tactics like using it as a mobile command post when direct fire was infeasible. Overall, combat data underscored the MGS's role in enhancing brigade firepower, with the fleet of 142 systems fielded across theaters delivering thousands of rounds in support of infantry maneuvers.[20][1]Performance Issues
The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) encountered significant challenges in operational environments, particularly during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where its vulnerabilities to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) were exposed due to the vehicle's flat-bottom chassis and inadequate gun pod protection. These design limitations increased the risk of catastrophic damage or mission kill, as the gun pod could be easily disabled by incoming fire, rendering the system inoperable in degraded capacity and limiting its effectiveness as a direct fire support platform.[1][18] Reliability issues further compounded these vulnerabilities, with the autoloader and 105mm cannon exhibiting systemic malfunctions that required frequent maintenance and reduced overall availability. The U.S. Army's Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) assessed the MGS as not operationally effective in scenarios where the gun pod was compromised, a finding stemming from early testing that identified 23 key deficiencies, many of which persisted despite partial mitigations by 2011. High maintenance costs, exacerbated by the aging components and lack of upgrades for modern threats like anti-tank mines, strained logistics and operational tempo.[1][3] These performance shortcomings ultimately led to the Army's decision to divest the entire fleet of 142 MGS vehicles by the end of fiscal year 2022, following a comprehensive analysis that deemed the system obsolete and insufficiently lethal against contemporary adversaries. The divestiture was completed as planned by the end of 2022, with all vehicles removed from service. While the MGS provided valuable fire support against bunkers and fortifications in urban and varied terrains, its unresolved issues prevented integration with protective enhancements like the Double-V Hull, prioritizing resources instead for more capable Stryker variants equipped with 30mm cannons.[3][18]Design Features
Armament and Fire Control
The M1128 Mobile Gun System is equipped with a 105 mm M68A1E4 tank gun mounted in a remote-controlled, low-profile turret, providing direct fire support for infantry units while maintaining mobility.[13] The gun features an automatic loader capable of a sustained rate of fire of six rounds per minute, with 18 total rounds carried—eight in the ready rack and ten in a replenisher magazine accessible from inside the vehicle.[22] Ammunition types include high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds for armored targets, as well as high-explosive plastic (HEP), canister, and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) variants like the M900, enabling engagement of threats ranging from light fortifications to tanks equivalent to the T-62 level.[15][13] Secondary armament consists of a coaxial 7.62 mm M240 machine gun with 3,400 rounds (500 ready) for suppressive fire and close-range defense, and a roof-mounted, flexible .50 caliber M2HB machine gun with 400 rounds, remotely operated by the commander or gunner.[1][22] The turret offers full 360-degree azimuth traverse and elevation from -5° to +15°, allowing rapid target acquisition in various terrains.[2] The fire control system is a full-solution digital setup with two-axis stabilization, enabling accurate fire on the move at speeds up to 60 mph.[1][13] It integrates a muzzle reference system to compensate for barrel droop and environmental factors, ensuring consistent precision. The gunner employs a stabilized, roof-mounted day/thermal sight with a laser rangefinder for target detection up to 10 km, featuring high-resolution second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imaging for night and adverse weather operations.[2][22] Additionally, the gunner has three periscopes (M27 daylight vision devices) for situational awareness. The commander benefits from an independent thermal viewer (CITV) and a stabilized panoramic sight, providing 360-degree surveillance and hunter-killer capability independent of the gunner's primary optic.[22] This configuration supports beyond-line-of-sight engagements and integrates with the vehicle's command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems for networked fire support.[13]Protection and Mobility
The M1128 Mobile Gun System features a base armor configuration derived from the Stryker family of vehicles, providing ballistic protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing ammunition in the frontal arc, equivalent to STANAG 4569 Level 4 standards.[23] This protection extends to small arms fire and artillery fragments all around, with the hull constructed from aluminum alloy and composite materials to balance weight and survivability. Additional reactive elements, such as slat armor cages, can be fitted to the sides and rear to defeat rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) by disrupting warhead detonation, enhancing vulnerability reduction in urban or close-quarters environments.[24] The vehicle's underbelly offers basic resistance to mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through its flat-bottom design, though it lacks the advanced V-shaped hull of later Stryker variants, limiting its standoff against high-explosive pressure waves. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection is provided via a collective overpressure system that maintains a positive internal pressure to filter contaminants, allowing operations in contaminated zones without crew exposure. Overall, the M1128 prioritizes mobility over heavy armor, relying on speed and low silhouette for survivability rather than tank-like resilience.[2] Mobility is a core strength of the M1128, enabled by its 8x8 wheeled configuration with independent hydropneumatic suspension on all axles, allowing it to traverse rough terrain while maintaining stability for firing on the move. Powered by a Caterpillar 3126 turbocharged diesel engine producing 350 horsepower, the system couples to an Allison MD 3560P six-speed automatic transmission, delivering a power-to-weight ratio suitable for rapid deployment. This setup achieves a maximum road speed of approximately 60 mph (97 km/h) and a cruising range of over 300 miles (480 km) at economical speeds, supporting extended patrols or quick repositioning in support of infantry units.[25][2] The M1128's wheeled design facilitates air transportability via C-130 aircraft, with a combat weight of around 41,300 pounds (18,740 kg), enabling strategic mobility for light armored brigades without requiring heavy-lift assets. It fords water up to 4 feet deep without preparation and can accelerate from 0 to 32 km/h in under 5 seconds, emphasizing its role as a fast-reaction fire support platform rather than a heavy combat vehicle.[22]Crew and Internal Layout
The M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) operates with a crew of three: a driver, a gunner, and a commander.[13][1] The driver is positioned in the front left of the hull, providing forward visibility through armored glass and periscopes, with controls for the vehicle's 8x8 wheeled mobility.[22] This configuration allows the driver to maneuver the vehicle while isolated from the fighting compartment, enhancing focus on navigation and evasion in combat environments.[11] The turret, mounted centrally atop the hull, accommodates the gunner on the left side and the commander on the right. The gunner operates the 105 mm M68A1E4 cannon and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun using a stabilized fire control system with day/night sights and laser rangefinder, enabling precision engagements on the move.[22][1] The commander, positioned adjacent to the gunner, oversees operations via a panoramic sight, communicates with supported infantry units, and can override the gunner's controls for situational awareness. Both turret crew members benefit from a low-profile design that reduces exposure, though the compact space limits movement during operations.[11] Internally, the layout prioritizes firepower over capacity, with the hull rear and sides dedicated to ammunition storage for the autoloader system. An 8-round ready carousel sits below the turret floor, supplemented by 10 rounds in a replenisher magazine, for a total of 18 rounds of main gun ammunition stowed in the vehicle.[22] This arrangement eliminates space for dismounted troops, distinguishing the MGS from infantry carrier variants and requiring external resupply for sustained fire support. Crew access is via twin rear hull doors or individual roof hatches over each station, facilitating rapid entry/exit under cover.[11] The interior incorporates ballistic and blast protection, with the three-man crew shielded against small-arms fire, artillery fragments, mines, and RPGs through composite armor, slat cages, and underbelly reinforcement.[13] Environmental controls, including heating and air conditioning, maintain operational comfort, while intercom and digital displays integrate crew functions for coordinated direct fire missions.[22]Retirement and Legacy
Divestment Process
The divestment of the M1128 Mobile Gun System (MGS) was formally announced by the United States Army on May 12, 2021, following a comprehensive multi-year analysis that identified significant platform obsolescence, systemic sustainment challenges, and operational vulnerabilities.[3] These issues included reliability problems with the autoloader, limited ammunition storage, and difficulties in integrating the system with evolving brigade combat team doctrines, rendering it unsuitable for modern peer conflicts.[17] The process entailed the phased removal of all 142 fielded MGS vehicles from active Stryker brigades, with a target completion date of September 30, 2022, the end of fiscal year 2022.[18] Units were instructed to transition away from the MGS, reallocating personnel and maintenance resources to other Stryker variants. The Army redirected sustainment funding toward lethality upgrades for the broader Stryker fleet, including the integration of 30mm autocannons on infantry carrier variants and enhanced fire control systems.[3] No foreign military sales were pursued due to the platform's identified deficiencies. By late 2022, the divestment was fully executed, effectively retiring the MGS from the U.S. Army inventory and concluding its 18-year operational lifespan. As of 2025, all MGS vehicles remain retired with no plans for reactivation or export.[26]Foreign Interest and Alternatives
The M1128 Mobile Gun System has not been offered for export or acquired by foreign militaries, in contrast to other Stryker variants that have been sold to countries such as Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Thailand through Foreign Military Sales programs. This lack of international adoption stems from the U.S. Army's decision to divest all 142 M1128 vehicles by fiscal year 2022 due to maintenance challenges and evolving doctrinal needs, rendering the platform unavailable for transfer.[27][3] Foreign militaries seeking wheeled mobile gun systems for rapid direct fire support and anti-armor roles have instead pursued indigenous or allied designs that emphasize mobility, firepower, and reconnaissance integration. These alternatives typically feature 8x8 or 6x6 chassis with medium-caliber guns (76mm to 105mm), offering strategic transportability via C-130 aircraft while providing fire support comparable to the M1128's 105mm M68A1 gun. Prominent examples include the Italian B1 Centauro, an 8x8 wheeled tank destroyer armed with a 105mm rifled low-recoil gun capable of firing APFSDS and HEAT rounds with a rate of fire of approximately 6 rounds per minute; it achieves speeds of 105 km/h and has been operated by Italy since 1994, with exports to Spain (84 units) and recent transfers to Ukraine for enhanced maneuver warfare.[28][29] Another key alternative is the French AMX-10 RC, a 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle mounting a 105mm high-pressure rifled gun derived from the GIAT G1 howitzer, effective against armored targets at ranges exceeding 2,000 meters with stabilized fire control for on-the-move engagements. Introduced in 1981, it has served the French Army in operations across Africa and the Middle East, carrying 38 main gun rounds and achieving 90 km/h top speed; over 20 units were donated to Ukraine in 2023 to bolster light armored capabilities amid its conflict with Russia.[30][31] The South African Rooikat Mk.1 provides a lighter reconnaissance-focused option with an 8x8 configuration and a 76mm GT-7 rapid-fire gun, delivering high-velocity kinetic rounds at a rate of 6 rounds per minute for anti-tank engagements up to 2 km, supplemented by a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. Operational since 1990 with the South African National Defence Force, it prioritizes speed (up to 120 km/h) and low ground pressure for desert and savanna terrains, with variants tested for 105mm upgrades but not pursued due to cost. In Asia, China's PTL02 assault gun, based on a 6x6 ZSL-92A chassis, mounts a 100mm smoothbore low-recoil gun firing modern APFSDS projectiles, entering service around 2006 to support rapid infantry advances with a crew of three and transportability by rail or air.[32][33]| System | Country | Chassis | Main Armament | Top Speed | Key Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Centauro | Italy | 8x8 | 105mm rifled | 105 km/h | Italy, Spain, Ukraine |
| AMX-10 RC | France | 6x6 | 105mm rifled | 90 km/h | France, Ukraine |
| Rooikat Mk.1 | South Africa | 8x8 | 76mm HV | 120 km/h | South Africa |
| PTL02 | China | 6x6 | 100mm smoothbore | 85 km/h | China |