M2 Bradley
Categories: Infantry fighting vehicles | Cold War American armored fighting vehicles | Modern armored fighting vehicles | American armored fighting vehicles
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| General Characteristics (M2 Bradley) | ||
| Length: | 21 ft 2 in (6.55 m) | |
| Width: | 11.83 ft (3.6 m) | |
| Height: | 11.8 ft (3.59 m) | |
| Weight: | 50,000 lb (22.7 t) unloaded; 67,000 lb (30.4 t) loaded | |
| Speed: | Road: 38 mph (66 km/h) Off-road: - Water: 7.2 km/h | |
| Range: | 250 miles (483 km) | |
| Primary armament: | 25 mm Chain Gun TOW Anti-Tank Missile | |
| Secondary armament: | 7.62 mm machine gun | |
| Power plant: | 600 hp (447 kW) diesel engine | |
| Crew: | 3 + (6 passengers) | |
The M2 Bradley and M3 Bradley are American infantry fighting vehicles.
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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. 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) They are produced by BAE Systems North America, formerly United Defense, L.P.
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), which was adapted for the 1998 film The Pentagon Wars starring Kelsey Grammer and Cary Elwes. [1]
Overview
The Bradley AFV was designed largely to trump the BMP-2, 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.
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. It also has a M240C machine gun mounted coaxially. For engaging heavier targets (such as when acting in an anti-tank fashion), the Bradley has a TOW II missile system onboard. Bradleys also stow a number of M231 Firing Port Weapons or FPWs. Initial variants carried 6 total, but this was reduced to 2 for the A2 and A3 variants.
Variants
NOTE: The same variants are also found in the M3 scout vehicle series.
M2A0
The M2A0 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 ERA). 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 a GPS and a Digital Compress 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, the Bradleys destroyed more Iraqi amour 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.
See also
External links
- Army Technology Bradley M2/M3 Information
- U. S. Army Factfile: Bradley FV
- Bradley M2/M3 at army-guide.comde:M2 Bradley