The M1135 NBCRV Stryker is critical in an environment with CBRN threats. If it doesn’t do its detecting job, the results could be fatal. Here are some ways to keep you and your NBCRV Stryker on the detecting trail:
1. Run the NBCRV Stryker at least four hours weekly while doing a complete PMCS.
If you don’t, you’ll have guaranteed trouble. The chemical biological mass spectrometer II (CBMS II) needs at least that long to complete its built-in-test (BIT) sequence. That’s the only way to find CBMS II problems before you go to the field. Plus it cuts down on the time needed for start-up.
Running the NBCRV Stryker for at least four hours weekly also helps dry up moisture. The A/C sucks up moisture that builds up inside the Stryker when it’s closed up. The moisture can affect the sensors while leaving the interior a mildew mess. You don’t want that cleaning job!
Don’t forget to pull the 15 hull drain plugs, too. Water that collects in the hull will eventually damage critical electronics if it’s not drained.
Because there’s so much PMCS for the NBCRV Stryker, it’s a good idea to devote one day just to the sensor suite and another just to the vehicle.
Monthly, run the Stryker CBMS II system for an 8-hour bake out. A bake out purges the system of any contaminants that can interfere with detecting.
2. Careful with the sampling wheels and lower rear door while backing up.
The wheels were designed to roll forward, not backward. They should go to the standby position 22 inches off the ground when you put the vehicle in reverse. One good bump while you’re in reverse can snap them off. The two arms and wheels cost a total of $2,800 to replace. In a non-tactical situation, use ground guides when backing up.
The lower rear door should be closed before backing up or changing the vehicle’s height management system. Otherwise, the door will be damaged.
3. Don’t forget the ACADA’s M88 detector.
When you’re not in the field, the best place for the M88 is in the CBRN room or locked in a shelter. If it’s left exposed to the elements, water can seep past its seals. Keep dust caps installed on both the exhaust and inlet valves to seal out dust and moisture. If you need more caps, order them with NSN 5340-01-454-6322.
But remove the caps before you turn the M88 on. Otherwise, the M88’s motor will burn out or it could get stuck in BIT mode.
4. Experiment with the tong box position.
For shorter Soldiers especially, it’s very difficult to gather samples from inside the Stryker using the glove port. The tong box can be adjusted up and down and left to right, which makes the job somewhat easier. Experiment with the best position for the tong box.
Remember to put the guide out before you start a mission. That makes it easier for the wheels to contact the probe. You can’t put the guide out from inside the vehicle.
5. Take care climbing around on the Stryker.
When you’re on top of the Stryker, you’re nine feet off the ground. That’s a long way to fall, especially onto concrete. And the Stryker’s roof gets very slippery when it’s wet. Always practice three points of contact. Some units have improved footing with non-skid strips. NSN 7220-00-823- 7419 gets a 60-ft roll.
The safest place to climb up and down is at wheel #1 by the driver’s hatch. After you put your right foot on the hub, you have handholds to help the rest of the way up.