M2 Bradley

KEY RECOGNITION

• High hull line with well sloped glacis plate driver's hatch left side, horizontal hull top, turret centre of roof. Large ramp at hull rear, hatch above rear troop compartment

9 Turret has twin TOW ATGW launcher on left side, extensive external stowage with 25mm cannon front and 7.62mm MG right, two spherical firing ports with periscope above in each side of hull

• Suspension each side has six road wheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, two trackreturn rollers. Upper part of track and hull sides has applique armour (when fitted with new armour package firing ports etc are covered up)

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SPECIFICATIONS M2 Bradley with TOW >N.

Armament:

Ammunition:

Length:

1 x 25mm cannon, 1 x 7.62mm MG ___. ,j^5f V I L \ (coaxial) 2 x TOW ATGW launcher "^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<2 _ 2 x 4 smoke grenade dischargers _^^^^=^T '-^TS™ ^ 900 x 25mm, 2,200 x 7.62mm, Jf^^vP F~ ^ T~ ^ ' ~"- "" '^a"=^^ 7 x TOW ATGW ^^-%1*f^-i_j_''_J|JJi|I_ _^_I -i.*al_l _ml// 6.55m |Rv - _4-- r__jK Width: 3.61m Height gunners sight: 2.972m Height turret roof: 2.565m Ground clearance: 0.432m Weight, combat: 22,940kg Weight, empty: 19,005kg Power-to-weight ratio: 20.38hp/tonne Ground pressure: 0.54kg/cm2 Engine: Cummins VTA-903T turbocharged 8-cylinder diesel, SOOhp at 2,600rpm Maximum road speed: 66km/hr Maximum water speed: 7.2km/hr Maximum cruising range: 483km Fuel capacity: 662 lit Fording: Amphibious with preparation Vertical obstacle: Trench: 0.914m 2.54m Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40% Armour: Classified Armour type: Aluminium/laminate/steel NBC system: Yes Night vision equipment: Yes (passive for commander, gunner and driver)

DEVELOPMENT

M2 Bradley is the culmination of an early 1960s programme to provide the US Army with a supplement for M113 ARC. First two prototypes of XM2 were completed by FMC Corporation (now United Defense LP) in 1978. After trials it was standardised as M2 in 1980 with first production vehicles in 1981, when it was named Bradley IFV.

Hull is welded aluminium with additional layer of spaced laminated armour for increased protection. Driver sits front left, engine to his right, troop compartment extending right to rear. Two-man power-operated turret armed with 25mm M242 Chain Gun, 7.62mm M240 MG mounted coaxial to right, turret traverse 360°, weapon elevation from -10° to +60°. Mounted on left side of turret is twin launcher for Raytheon TOW ATGW with range of 3,750m. M2 Bradley is fully amphibious with flotation screen erected (carried collapsed round top of hull).

Later production vehicles are M2A1/M2A2 and M3A1/M3A2 which have many improvements with the A3 models having increased armour protection and upgraded powerpack. Some Bradley vehicles have been fitted with explosive reactive

armour to their turrets and hulls for increased battlefield survivability.

VARIANTS

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) is similar to M2 but has no firing ports, fiveman crew and more ammunition. M7 Bradley FIST, Fire Support Team Vehicle M6 Bradley Linebacker, TOW ATGW replaced by four Stinger SAM Ambulance, modified Bradley chassis, no turret MLRS, based on Bradley chassis with new cabs XM5, Electronic Fighting Vehicle Systems carrier (MLRS chassis) M4, Command and Control Vehicle (MLRS chassis)

STATUS

Production complete. In service with Saudi Arabia and USA.

MANUFACTURER

United Defense LP, Ground Systems Division, San Jose, California 95108, USA.

Above: Bradley A3 with applique armour and Commanders Independent Viewer

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