Pentagon restricts access to unclassified Stryker CROWS-J assessment

The military will not publicly release unclassified details from its assessment of the Stryker infantry carrier’s new antitank missile system, according to a report released last week from the Pentagon’s top weapons tester.

Testing last May and June identified problems that the Army should address with the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin antitank missile capability, according to the report from the director of operational test and evaluation.

“While testing was adequate to evaluate the crews’ ability to identify and engage targets using the improved CROWS-J and sights, the Army must address several shortfalls to improve Stryker CROWS-J operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability,” the report stated.

There was no further indication of the severity or nature of the system’s shortfalls in the report. The Army conducted follow-on and live-fire testing of the CROWS-J Stryker in fiscal year 2021.

Details about operational effectiveness and suitability have been stamped as controlled unclassified information, according to the annual report.

That designation means the information does not meet the standards for classification but will not be publicly released. This year’s public DOT&E report restricted more unclassified information than previous editions.

Other test results, on the vehicle’s survivability in a contested environment, were classified.

DOT&E recommended the Army include the CROWS-J Stryker in a FY-23 test of the Stryker’s new 30 mm cannon, to evaluate the operational effectiveness and suitability of the Javelin-equipped vehicles. Strykers with the CROWS-J and the cannon are expected to serve alongside each other as infantry carriers.