Appendix C

STRYKER DRIVER TRAINING COURSES

This appendix provides design standard recommendations for three expert-level Stryker driver training courses.

OVERVIEW

C-1.       A critical element of Stryker training is to teach safe driving. Because the Stryker is a significantly different platform than many Soldiers have ever operated, it is crucial that they feel confident negotiating many skilled driving tasks on varying types of terrain. Tasks should include, climbing and descending  steep inclines, negotiating obstacles, and maneuvering through confined, curvy areas.

Stryker Driver Training Courses

Standards and layouts

C-2.       Soldier driving proficiency is directly related to the ability of an installation to provide diverse driving conditions during training. To accommodate this, standard course design guidelines are outlined below. Every effort should be made to develop driver training courses using these standards. Installations that cannot accommodate all appendix standards may improvise course development. Natural obstacles can be used where they suffice. Employment evaluations of improvised obstacles must be based on their physical abilities to endure repeated use.

Stop, Start, and Steer Course

C-3.       The stop, start, and steer course (Figure C-1) provides for the training of fundamental driving skills. The course layout is designed to train and enhance the skills of starting, stopping, and steering the Stryker vehicle. The course is approximately 500 meters by 500 meters with a driving lane that is about 16 feet wide. The course has designated areas for each of the tasks being trained. An example of this course layout and design is shown in figure C-1.

Driving Course

C-4.       The driving course (Figure C-2) is the next logical progression for driver training. This course enables drivers to maneuver the Stryker over a distance. The driving course should be no less than 15 miles in length with three alternate routes encompassed within the master loop.  

Urban/Obstacle Driving Course

C-5.       The urban and obstacle course (Figure C-3) provides training for advance driving skills. As the world becomes more urbanized it will become necessary for Sryker drivers to posses the skills necessary to maneuver the vehicle in close quarters and through a variety or obstacles. The urban and obstacle course should contain a variety of areas designed to challenge the skills of even the most experienced drivers. Commanders may modify or alter the recommendation design of an urban/obstacle driving course based on uniqueness's of their area of operation.  Course design recommendations follow.

l        Minimum of one (1) step-up/wall (Figure C-4).  Four feet across, 3 feet deep, 10 feet wide with Concrete, steel reinforced edges.

l        Minimum of one 18-inch high, 10-foot wide trench. Must include a concrete pad not less than 15 feet in front of and after the step-up.  Trench should have steel reinforced edges (Figure C-5).

l        Minimum of one 40 percent slope climb and descend.

l        Depth of obstacle no less than 25 meters in length.

l         Not more than 60 percent slope.

l        A series of six bumps or moguls in depth. Each bump/mogul should be:

n         Not less than 24-inches high, but not greater than 36 inches.

n         Not less than 48-inches thick.

n         Width of each bump or mogul not less than 108 inches in length.

n         Not less than 48 inches between each bump/mogul.

l        Not less than 500 meters of confined space driving. Area should include:

n         Wooded area.

n         Urban area.

n         Man-made area (connexes).

n         No more than 18 inches clearance on either side of the vehicle (including when fitted with
       add-on or slat armor).

l        Driving area with not less than a 10 percent side slope.

n         Depth of obstacle not less than 10 meters in length.

n         Not more than 30 percent side slope.

n         Must have gradual entrance and exit to obstacle.

l        Not less than 300 meters of consecutive tight turns (hair-pin) in a confined area.

n         Fifty (50) percent must be left hand turns.

n         Fifty (50) percent must be right hand turns.

l        Two (2) percent of the loop distance to be hard surface road driving.

l        Twenty-five (25) percent of this loop to be high speed (40 mph) driving.

l        Three (3) percent of the loop distance to be unimproved road driving.

l        Balance of the loop to be cross-country driving.

l        Fifty (50) percent of driving time to be conducted under limited visibility conditions w/ DVE.

C-6.       The execution of all drivers course should follow the guidelines outlined below:

l        Course will be negotiated by primary vehicle driver and alternate vehicle driver and

l        Vehicle commanders will operate the Stryker at a minimum of one time during daylight hours.

l        Drivers will be buttoned up.

l        Dismounted: Vehicle Commander will be on the ground, guiding his driver through the course.

l        Mounted: Vehicle Commander will be on the vehicle guiding his driver through the course, talking to the driver through the CVC.

l        Course will be negotiated both day and during hours of limited visibility.

l        Drivers will continue to go through the course until the instructor is satisfied with the driver's proficiency.

l        For optimal results, course should be set up on both hilly and flat terrain.

l        Six (6)-to-8 foot pylons should used to canalize the course (Figure C-6).      

 

Figure C-1. Stop, start, steer course layout.

 

 

Figure C-2. Driving course.

 

Figure C-3. Urban obstacle drivers course (example).

C-7.       Orange traffic cones with 6-to-8 foot wooden doweling sticking out of the top of the cone provide a good, inexpensive option for conducting this type of driving course.  The ground guide should initially guide the driver through the obstacles using standard hand and arm signals.  This will give the new driver an idea of how wide the vehicle is, and what he must do to compensate for the difference in driving characteristics. The driver should then be directed to move through the obstacles slowly by themselves, providing feedback as they maneuver through the course.

 

Figure C-4. Step-up/wall (example).

 

 

Figure C-5. Trench (example).

 

Figure C-6. 6-to-8 foot course pylons.