April 19, 2006: The U.S. Army has ordered another 306 Stryker wheeled armored vehicles, at an average cost of $1.52 million each. So far, about 1,500 Strykers are in use. Despite lots of criticism from various experts, Strykers have proved very popular with their users. The main reasons are;

@ Speed- The Stryker can move along at over 100 kilometers an hour.

@ Silence- Compared to tracked vehicles, the Stryker is very quiet.

@ Gadgets- The Stryker has the latest in computers, communication and night vision equipment. For a generation of troops raised on PCs and video games, this is a good thing.

@ Protection- RPG hits rarely cause any crew injuries, and Strykers have proved very robust when hit by roadside bomb blasts.

Captured enemy gunmen often complained of how the Strykers came out of nowhere, and skillfully maneuvered to surround and destroy their targets. This was often done at night, with no lights (using night vision gear.) The element of surprise is always a decisive battlefield edge. Both the Stryker troops, and the enemy fighters, call the vehicles "ghosts." Constant combat operations have created a constant stream of suggestions for improvements, and most of these have been made. This gives the Stryker a major edge in combat, and in battles with critics back home.