M2 Bradley

The M2 Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and M3 Bradley CFV (Cavalry Fighting Vehicle) are American infantry fighting vehicles manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, (formerly United Defense).

Production History

The Bradley, named after WWII General Omar Bradley, is a replacement for the M113 family of APCs and consists of two types of vehicles, the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. The M3 CFV was originally going to be named after General Jacob L. Devers, but it was decided the Bradley name would apply to both, since both vehicles are based on the same chassis (they differ in only some details). The M2 carries a crew of three and a six-man infantry squad. The M3 on the other hand carries only a two-man scout team and additional radios, TOW and Dragon or Javelin missiles.

Since entering service with the U.S. Army in 1981, 6,724 Bradleys have been produced. (4,641 M2s and 2,083 M3s)

The troubled development history of the Bradley is described in air force Lt. Col. James Burton's 1993 book (James G. Burton, The Pentagon Wars: Reformers Challenge the Old Guard, Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press) ISBN 1557500819, which was adapted for the 1998 film The Pentagon Wars starring Kelsey Grammer and Cary Elwes. ^*

Overview

The Bradley AFV was designed largely to trump the BMP-1, and to serve as both an APC and a tank-killer. Specifically, it was designed in response to the higher cruising speed of the Abrams. The older M113 APC could not keep up. The 25 mm cannon fires up to 200 rounds per minute, and is accurate up to 2.5 km. The twin TOW missile launchers are capable of destroying any tank at a maximum range of 3750 m. The Bradley also carries an M240C coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, located to the right of the 25 mm chain gun. Its cross-country capability is superb, as during its design phase, a main objective was to keep it up to speed with the M1 Abrams main battle tank. The vehicle is of aluminum construction, one of the points used by critics to deride the vehicle. Aluminum armor tends to vaporize in the face of HEAT warheads; this and the prodigious storage of ammunition in the vehicle initially raised questions about its combat survivability. Actual combat operations, however, have not shown the Bradley to be overtly deficient as losses have been few.

The Bradley series has been widely modified. Its chassis is the basis for the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System, a battlefield command post, and an air defense vehicle. Armed with the Stinger SAM, the M6 "Linebacker" Bradley Air Defense Vehicle possesses a unique role in the U.S. Army, providing highly mobile air defense at the front line.

Armament

The Bradley is equipped with the M242 25 mm chain gun as its main weapon. The M242 has ammunition in two ready boxes of 70 rounds and 230 rounds each for a total of 300 ready rounds and carries 600 rounds in storage. The two ready boxes allow selectable mix of rounds such as the M791 APDS-T (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot (with) Tracer), and M792 HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary (with) Tracer) rounds. It is also armed with a M240C machine gun mounted coaxially to the M242, with 2,200 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. For engaging heavier targets (such as when acting in an anti-tank fashion), the Bradley has a TOW missile system onboard, was changed to fire TOW II missiles, onwards from the M2A1 model. Bradleys also have openings for a number of M231 Firing Port Weapons or FPWs. Initial variants carried 6 total, but the side ports were removed for the A2 and A3 variants, leaving only the two rear-facing mounts.

Variants

NOTE: The same variants are also found in the M3 CFV (Cavalry Fighting Vehicle) series (M3, M3A1, etc), with the exception of the BSFV, M6 Linebacker, and M7 BFST.

M2

The M2 (also sometimes written M2A0 to help prevent confusion) was the basic production model, first produced in 1982. The M2A0 was can be identified by its standard TOW missile system and 500-horsepower engine with manual transmission. Basic features also included an integrated sight unit for the M242, and thermal imaging system. The M2A0 was amphibious with the use of a "Swim Barrier" and was C-141 and C-5 transportable. All M2A0 vehicles have been upgraded to improved standards.

M2A1

Introduced in 1986, the A1 variant included an improved TOW II missile system, a Gas Particulate Filter Units (GPFU) NBC system, and a fire-suppression system. By 1992, the M2A1s had begun being remanufactured to upgraded standards.

M2A2

Introduced in 1988, the A2 received an improved 600-horsepower engine with an automatic transmission and improved armor (both passive and the ability to mount explosive reactive armor). Ammo stowage was reorganized and spall liners were added. The M2A2 was qualified to be transported by the C-17. M2A2s will all eventually be modified to M2A2 ODS or M2A3 standard.

M2A2 ODS/ODS-E

The "Operation Desert Storm" and "Operation Desert Storm-Engineer" improvements were based on lessons learned during the first Gulf War in 1991. The major improvements included an eye-safe laser rangefinder (ELRF), a tactical navigation system (TACNAV) incorporating the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) and the Digital Compass System (DCS), a missile countermeasure device designed to defeat first-generation wire-guided missiles, and the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Battlefield Command Information System. The internal stowage was further improved and a thermal imaging system was added for the driver.

M2A3

Introduced in 2000, the A3 upgrades make the Bradley IFV/CFV totally digital and upgrade or improve existing electronics systems throughout improving target acquisition and fire control, navigation, and situational awareness. Also, the survivability of the vehicle is upgraded with a series of armor improvements, again both passive and reactive, as well as improved fire-suppression systems and NBC equipment.

Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle

The BSFV is designed specifically for the carriage and support of a Stinger MANPADS team.

M6 Linebacker

An air defense variant, these vehicles are modified M2A2 ODSs with the TOW missile system replaced with a four-tube Stinger missile system.

M7 Bradley Fire Support Team

The Bradley FIST is designed to replace existing forward observation vehicles in the U.S. Army inventory, and adds an inertial navigation system and a new targeting station control panel. A mission-processor unit automates the fire-request system.

Combat History

During the Gulf War, M2 and M3 Bradleys destroyed more Iraqi armor than the M1 Abrams.^* 20 Bradleys were lost; 3 during combat and 17 due to friendly fire accidents. To remedy some problems that were identified as contributing factors in the friendly fire incidents, infrared identification panels and other marking/identification measures were added to the Bradleys.

In Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Bradley has proved somewhat vulnerable to mobility kills (attacks that do not necessarily destroy the vehicle completely, but render it inoperable or immobile, such as track or engine malfunctions) through IED and mass RPG attacks, but casualties have been light—the doctrine being to allow the crew to escape at the expense of the vehicle. As of early 2006, total losses (including non-combat incidents) were at 50 Bradleys. ^*

External links

Army Technology Bradley M2/M3 Information
U. S. Army Factfile: Bradley FV
Bradley M2/M3 at army-guide.com
Bradley Fighting Vehicle Sytems Upgrade to A3

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