M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Manufacturer: BAE Systems

Service: US Army

Engine: Cummins VTA-903T diesel

Armament: 25 mm M242 chain gun; TOW anti-tank missile; 7.62 mm M240C machine gun

Crew: 3 crew, 6-man infantry squad

Range: 300 miles

Speed: 41 mph

The M2 and M3 Bradley FIghting Vehicle is a lightly armored, fully tracked transport vehicle that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower and protection from artillery and small-arms fire. It is used in mechanized infantry and armored cavalry combat.

It possesses sufficient cross-country mobility to keep up with the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, medium and long-range firepower capable of defeating any vehicle on the battlefield, and is adequately armored to protect the crew from artillery and small arms threats. The Bradley is able to close with and destroy enemy forces in support of mounted and dismounted Infantry and Cavalry combat operations.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle family currently consists of two vehicles: the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. Just as with its predecessor, the M113 family, the Bradley will eventually be the platform for a wide range of support vehicles.

Infantry can fight from inside the vehicle by using modified M-16 rifles mounted in firing ports or may dismount from the M2 version to fight on foot. The vehicle is armed with a 25mm cannon, effective against most armored targets, and with the TOW missile, effective against lightly armored targets out to its maximum range of 3,750 meters (2.3 miles).

The Bradley A2 ODS incorporates improvements identified after Operation Desert Storm, including an eye-safe laser rangefinder, global positioning and navigation systems and an enhanced driver’s vision device.

An optional Appliqué configuration provides situational awareness via the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Appliqué computer system.

The Bradley A2 ODS is equipped with the Bushmaster 25mm cannon and TOW missile system, which delivers increased lethality and accuracy, especially under the toughest battlefield conditions.