In 1999, the United States Army launched the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) program to procure lightweight and transportable vehicles for a strategically deployable force requiring a much smaller footprint than heavy armour units. Although a core component of the IAV program was the infantry carrier, another was the Mobile Gun System (MGS) intended to support the force with direct gunfire. Four proposals were submitted, including one partnered between General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and General Motors (GM) Defense of Canada. By November 2000, the GDLS-GM proposal was accepted with their IAV infantry carrier designated M1126 and later given the name “Stryker”. GDLS was assigned to develop the MGS, which was type-selected as the M1128. Though suffering delays, the first M1128 would be delivered in 2002, and GDLS would receive low-rate production orders that would culminate in a total of 142 M1128s. However, rising maintenance costs and the M1128’s inability to stay as well protected as the other Stryker models led to its retirement by 2021.

Introduced in Update “New Power”, the M1128 MGS is a fast wheeled armoured car with the familiar 105 mm cannon and access to the M900 round, giving it similar firepower to that of the IPM1. As a light armoured car, protection is scant against anything above autocannon calibers, with only a “slat armour” add-on modification to improve protection. Utilizing scoot-and-shoot tactics is thus the best way to make use of the M1128’s gun and speed. However, the gun depression of -5 degrees limits how viable the M1128 can utilise rough terrain for cover, requiring more of the vehicle to expose itself for an optimal firing angle. Players also need to account for the M1128’s relatively tall profile to ensure there is cover available to completely protect the M1128 and avoid exposing the turret to enemy fire. Though the limitations can make the M1128 a hard vehicle to master, players mastering the M1128 can find ways to get the jump on the enemy at the right place and right time.