The US Army will convert the first modular heavy brigade combat team to a Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) by January 2011.

Around 4,160 soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 1st Armoured Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, will be converted to the modular SBCT structure.

Conversion to the Stryker configuration will take two years, during which the combat unit will carry out new equipment training, fielding and collective training.

The first Stryker brigade combat unit is scheduled to enter the deployable force pool by the second fiscal quarter of 2013.