3D Printed 1/76 M1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon

The M1296 Dragoon...

When your Stryker hits the gym and comes back jacked.

Say hello to the M1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon, the U.S. Army’s answer to the growing need for more firepower in fast, mobile units. Built off the familiar Stryker platform, the Dragoon doesn’t just carry infantry—it brings the fight to them!

Let’s talk about the biggest upgrade first: the gun.

The standard Stryker ICVs had been rolling around with nothing more than a remote .50 cal or a 40mm grenade launcher for years. Not bad for counterinsurgency, but if things ever got spicy with near-peer threats like Russia or China, it wasn’t going to cut it.

So what did they do?

They slapped on a 30mm XM813 Bushmaster autocannon of course! And to boot, its in a fully integrated unmanned turret. This thing absolutely chews through light armor, fortifications, and unlucky infantry hiding in buildings. It’s accurate, fast-firing, and gives this Dragoon some fire!

And don’t worry—it still brings the squad.

The Dragoon is a wheeled 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle that can haul around a 9-man infantry squad, just like the original Stryker. It’s got rear ramp access, decent armor, and lots of internal tech upgrades to keep soldiers alive and aware on the modern battlefield.

Mobility?
It’s still a Stryker at heart—fast, agile, and designed for rapid deployment. It can be airlifted by a C-17, move quickly on roads, and maneuver over rough terrain with ease. Plus, it's quieter and quicker to maintain than tracked IFVs like the Bradley, making it ideal for Europe’s varied terrain or any fast-moving conflict where logistics matter.

Now, let’s be real—it’s not invincible.

While the armor’s been upped and it has double-V hull protection to help with IEDs and mines, it’s still not a tank. A direct hit from an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)? Yeah, the Dragoon’s going to have a bad day. But it’s not meant to go toe-to-toe with T-90s. It’s meant to support infantry and dominate lighter threats with speed and firepower.

But Hey, the M1296 Dragoon takes everything people liked about the Stryker, its speed, transportability, and modular design- and finally gives it a weapon that demands respect. It’s fast, mean, and exactly what the Army needed to bridge the gap between light and heavy forces.

And hey—any ride that can haul a full squad, crush a BMP, and look cool doing it?

That’s a Dragoon worth riding with.