M2 Bradley American Infantry Fighting Vehicle
M2, M2A1 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Other
Basic Information
Name
M2 Bradley American Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Designation
M2, M2A1 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Alternate Designation
M2, M2A1 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Equipment Type
Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Manufacturer
BAE Systems
Date of Introduction
1981
Description
The M2 Bradley American Infantry Fighting Vehicle is a tracked fighting vehicle platform of the United States manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments, formerly United Defense. It was named after U.S. General Omar Bradley. The Bradley is designed to transport infantry or scouts with armor protection, while providing covering fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Engine
liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, turbocharged V-8, diesel (500 hp)
Active Protection
Yes
Variants
M2 Bradley (A0 version)
This was the initial production configuration. The first 2,300 Bradleys were of this basic variant. Also known as the A0 version.
M2A1
This was an upgraded variant first produced in 1985, with deliveries taking place in 1986. Improvements were known as Block One improvements.
M2A2
This was also known as the high-survivability configuration. Replacement for A1 was undertaken in two phases. The A2 Phase I production began in May 1988, the A2 Phase II in May 1989.
M2A4
This modernization began in 2012 and allowed for suspension and power management improvements.
FM2
This was an ad hoc fire support vehicle created during the 1991 Persian Gulf War by the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery. This involved removing the ground/vehicular laser locator designator (G/VLLD), two radios, and the digital message device (DMD) from the M981 fire support team vehicle (FIST-V) and installing them in an M2 Bradley.
M2A2 ODS (Operation Desert Storm )
This was an improvement kit that was added to approximately 1,400 of the A2 fleet as a result of lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm. Includes: eye-safe laser range finder;
KVH navigation (TACNAV) system with global positioning system (GPS ) and digital compass;
United Defense/Loral missile countermeasure device;
TRW/Magnavox anti-fratricide battlefield combat identification system;
improved thermal sight for the driver;
improvements to the stowage of equipment and 25-mm ammunition; and
redesigned seating.
M2 ODS Situational Awareness (ODS SA)
This is a partial upgrade that features the digital connectivity of the A3 without the commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV).
M2A3
This is an upgrade program for the Bradley fleet. Low-rate initial production contract was approved in August of 1997, full rate in May 2001. This program included the following improvements over the M2A1 series of vehicles:
All ODS series improvements;
Texas Instruments' commander's independent viewer (CIV) system. This system includes a day TV system and a second-generation FLIR system. It allows the Bradley commander to look at the battlefield independently from the gunner;
Texas Instruments' (now DRS Technologies) improved Bradley acquisition system (IBAS ). This system incorporates the electronics that are currently deployed in the CIV with the same eye-safe laser rangefinder and a set of direct view optics. It also provides enhanced shoot-on-the-move capability for the main gun;
Enhanced protection consisting of titanium roof armor, side skirts, enhanced NBC protection, Halon fire-suppression systems in both the engine and personnel compartments (which is poisonous to humans) and provisions for reactive armor tiles; and
Various digital electronic systems consisting of computerized digital flat-panel displays for the vehicle crew and infantry squad; removable mass memory unit; enhanced position locating and reporting system (EPLRS); and a MIL-STD-1553 data bus for future integration of inter-vehicular information systems into the vehicle.
The M2A3 has a new internal exhaust system with the outlet at the right rear rather than near the driver's position.
M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
The M3 CFV is used by heavy armored cavalry units in the United States Army.
Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV)
Added six Stinger missiles and carry a five-man Stinger team composed of two Stinger gunners, squad leader, vehicle gunner and driver. Approximately 260 of these vehicles were fielded by the Army. These vehicles have been withdrawn from service and converted into other roles.
M4 (C2)
Command and Control variant.
M7 Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST)
This is a variant of the Bradley designed to provide fire support coordination for forward ground units.
System
Alternative Designation
M2, M2A1 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Type
Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Manufacturer
BAE Systems Land & Armaments, formerly United Defense
Family
Bradley
Configuration
Tracked vehicle platform with turret and troop compartment
Crew
3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Passenger Capacity
6 ea
Dimensions
Length
6.45 m
Width
3.20 m
Height
2.97 m
Weight, Combat
22,590 kg
Ground Pressure
0.54 kg/sq cm
Automotive
Engine Name
1 x Cummins VTA-903T 903-cu in (14.8-liter)
Engine Type
liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, turbocharged V-8, diesel
Engine Power
500 hp at 2,600 rpm
Cruising Range
483 km
Speed, Maximum Road
68 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
INA
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
30%
Vertical Step
0.9 m
Trench
2.5 m
Fording Depth
1.20 m
Main Weapon System
Autocannon
Name
1 x M242 Bushmaster 25mm Chain Gun
Type
Automatic chain gun fitted w/muzzle brake
Caliber
25 mm
Length
2,672 mm
Barrel Length
2,175 mm
Weight
119 kg
Rate of Fire
200 rds/min (Cyclic)
Effective Firing Range
3,000 m
Maximum Firing Range
6,800 m
Ammunition
M791 Armor-piercing discarding sabot with Tracer
Penetrates lightly armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets such as helicopters and various slow-moving, fixed-wing aircraft.
M792 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer and Self Destruct
Can destroy unarmored vehicles and helicopters and suppress anti-tank missile positions and enemy squads out to a maximum effective range of 2,200 meters.
M793 Target Practice with Tracer
The TP-T cartridge is a fixed-type, percussion-primed training round that matches the High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer (HEI-T M792) round ballistically.
M910 Target Practice Discarding Sabot with Tracer
The TPDS-T replicates the flight pattern of the M791 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APDS-T) round.
M919 Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot With Tracer (DART)
Penetrates light armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets, which includes helicopters and slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. The dart is made of depleted uranium.
Coaxial Weapon System
Machine Gun
Name
1 x M240C 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Length
1,260 mm
Barrel Length
630 mm
Weight
12.5 kg
Rate of FIre
550–600 rds/min (Cyclic)
Effective Firing Range
1,200 m
Maximum Firing Range
3,725 m
Anti-Tank Weapon System
Missile Launcher
Name
BGM-71 TOW Launcher
Type
Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile system
Number of Launchers
2 ea
Elevation
-20 / +30 deg
Slew Rate
60 deg/sec max (both axes)
Tracking Rate
0.05 mil/sec
Ammunition
Type
BGM-71
Caliber
152 mm
Warhead Weight
3.9 - 6.14 kg
Wingspan
0.46 m
Range
3,000 - 3,750 m
Basic Load
6 available. 2 missiles loaded in launcher, 4 onboard.
Fire Control / Optics
Name
Raytheon integrated sight unit (ISU)
Computerized FCS
Yes
Thermals
Yes, Hughes integrated day/night sight with scan at 4-power, aiming at 12-power
Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander
Yes, an optical relay provides the image of the gunner’s sight to the commander.
Thermal Sight Gunner
Yes
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes
Night Vision
Yes, AN/VVS-2 driver's viewer with 38 x 45 degrees field of view
Infrared
Yes, improved Bradley acquisition system (IBAS) second generation FLIR (M2A3 only)
Protection
Hull Armor (Front)
5083 series aluminum
Hull Armor (Bottom)
5083 series with 9.5 mm anti-mine steel layer
Turret Armor
5083 series aluminum
Applique Armor
Yes
Explosive Reactive Armor
Yes
Active Protection System
Yes
Mine Clearing
INA
Self-Entrenching Blade
INA
NBC Protection
Yes, collective system for crew plus individual masks for onboard infantry
Smoke Equipment
Yes, 2 x 4-barrel M257 dischargers; engine exhaust generators
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Land
Land
Filter Label
M
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
6.45 m
Width
3.2 m
Height
2.97 m
Weight
22590 kg
Operators (5)
United States
Ukraine
Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
CFE Treaty
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload