M2 Bradley

History

The M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) fulfills the U.S. Army's requirement from the 1960s for an amphibious direct combat mechanized support vehicle to operate alongside the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). This need stemmed directly from the advent of the Soviet BMP series of amphibious vehicles, which were launched on the market in 1966 and dutifully combined mobility, firepower and protection to provide protection for an entire squadron of infantry.

The result of the U.S. initiative was the M2 Bradley, which remains a vital part of the U.S. Army and is fully airliftable by the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (formerly the Lockheed C-141 Star Elevator). The M2 Bradley is named after General Omar Bradley during World War II.

Bradley Walking Tour

A standard M2 Bradley with a crew of three - driver, commander and gunner - can accommodate seven (originally six) combat-ready infantry while serving on the front lines. The wheel and track system provides strong off-road performance, and propulsion comes from an engine located in the front right (rider and front left) of the fuselage.

Bradley is armed with an ATK Gun Systems Company M245 series 25mm cannon mounted in a powered two-man turret (off-centre right) that also carries a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun for infantry defense. The 25mm gun can hit all types of lightly armored targets, including enemy personnel carriers and infantry support vehicles, as well as fortified positions (experience in the Gulf War proved that the gun could defeat MBT armor). Can carry up to 900 rounds of 25mm and 2,200 x 7.62mm ammunition. The vehicle also supports the launch of the Hughes TOW Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM) weapon, which allows Bradley to engage the enemy's heavier armor from a distance.

Seven TOW missiles are carried on board. Smoke grenade launchers allow the crew to monitor their movements. Firing ports allow occupants inside to engage enemy infantry with their personal weapons if necessary. NBC protection (nuclear, biological, chemical) is standard. An electric door, which can be lowered to form an integral ramp, is mounted on the rear of the hull for quick disembarkation of passengers.

Use smaller rectangular doors when safety is a higher priority. The Bradley armor consists of an aluminum and spacer laminate protection system that is reported to be strong enough against 30mm armor-piercing and rocket-propelled projectiles (when used with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks).

Side skirt armor protects critical track components.

Bradley Power

The M2 is powered by a 600 hp Cummins VTA-903T 8-cylinder diesel engine. The vehicle is mounted on a torsion bar suspension system attached to six twin tire wheels. The drive sprocket is in the front and the chain idler is in the back. This arrangement allows for a maximum road speed of 40 mph and a range of 300 miles. As an amphibious vehicle, the M2 (with some preparation) can also traverse water at around 5 miles per hour.

However, changes to the vehicle's armor over the decades have completely eliminated the amphibious mass. The total weight is 30 tons (short), the barrel is 6.5 meters long, 3.5 meters wide and 3 meters high.

Key dates in development

The 1972 XM723 prototype became the first of two M2 Bradley pilot vehicles released in 1978, codenamed "XM2", and built by FMC Corporation. After passing all the necessary stages of development, the line was officially adopted as the "M2" in 1980, and shortly thereafter, entered service in the United States in 1981. Since then, the M2 Bradley has been the mainstay of the U.S.

Army along with the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) hits as powerful "one or two" tanks.

Bradley variant

The original vehicle appeared in the early 1980s with the base name "M2". These are powered by Cummins VT903 series engines mated to HMPT-500 series drivetrains.

An improved "M2A1" appeared in 1986 and the series brought an improved NBC protection system, additional passenger seat and support for the ATGM line TOW II HMPT-500-3 series gear system coupling. Improved armor protection by adding ERA blocks while losing side fire ports.

This variant lost the extra seventh passenger seating area and became M2 Bradley standard.

Following Operation Desert Storm, the M2A2 ODS ("Operation Desert Storm") variant was developed with improved navigation and accuracy, as well as crew survivability and unit communications. A seventh passenger seat has been reintroduced.

Introduced in 2000, the M2A3 introduced a fully digital operating environment for the driver, commander and gunner this March. Armor has been improved again.

The M2 line had extensive combat service in the 1991 Gulf War and destroyed more enemy tanks than the M1/M1A1 main battle tanks deployed at the same time. Instead, of the 20 Bradleys lost during the war, about 17 died in tragic "friendly fire" incidents. Based on these results, the U.S.

Army works to provide improved identification measures to deter further problems related to friendly fire casualties.

The famous Bradley branch

The M2's chassis also forms a key working component of the deadly M227 MLRS (Multiple Rocket Launch System), a highly lethal mobile combat artillery piece. The M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) is a direct descendant of Bradley and has been slightly modified for the armed reconnaissance role, losing the six-person seating arrangement, carrying two scouts and expanded communications equipment.

All weapons remain. The M4 C2V is a command vehicle, while the M6 ??"Linebacker" is a self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle based on the M2 Bradley chassis. A special engineering vehicle is also mentioned.

Bradley Starch

Some 4,641 Bradleys have since been produced, with US Middle East ally Saudi Arabia receiving no less than 400. Operators include only the United States and ally Saudi Arabia, although one potential operator remains the rebuilding of the Iraqi army with a capacity of up to 200 vehicles.

M2 Bradley Spec

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

900x25mm ammo.

4,000 x 7.62mm ammo.

7 x TOW Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGM).

8 x Smoke Grenade.

Changes