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Bradley Fighting Vehicle |
A Bradley crushes a monument to Saddam
Hussein. |
 Mission
Provides protected transport of an infantry squad on the
battlefield and overwatching fires to support the dismounted
infantry; is employed to suppress and defeat enemy tanks,
reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armored
personnel carriers, bunkers, dismounted infantry and attack
helicoptors; and performs cavalry scout and other essential
(Bradley-equipped fire support and Stinger teams) missions in
the 21st century. The infantry version (M2) is used most often
to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver. The
primary tasks performed by the cavalry version (M3) as part of
a troop and/or squadron are reconnaissance, security and flank
guard missions.
Entered Army Service
1981
Description and Specifications
The Bradley M2A3 Infantry / M3A3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is
configured as follows:
 Length:
21 ft 2 in
Width:
11.83 ft with armor tiles; 10.75 ft without armor tiles
Height:
11.8 ft
Weight:
50,000 lbs unloaded; 67,000 lbs combat loaded
Power
Train: 600 hp Cummins VTA-903T diesel engine with GM-Allison
HMPT-500-3SEC
hydro-mechanical automatic transmission
Cruising
Range: 250 miles
Crew:
M2A3: 9 (3 crew; 6 dismounts); M3A3: 5 (3 crew; 2 dismounts)
Armament:
25-mm M242 Bushmaster cannon, TOW II missile system, 7.62 mm
M240C machine gun
Vehicle Features
Two second generation forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors
in the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) and
Commander's Independent Sight (CIV) provide "Hunter-Killer
target handoff" capability with a ballistic fire control
system; embedded diagnostics; integrated combat command and
control (IC3) digital communications suite hosting Force XXI
Battle Command Brigade-and-Below package with digital maps,
messages and friend/foe situational awareness; position
navigation system with GPS and inertial navigation system; and
enhanced squad situational awareness with squad leader display
integrated into vehicle digital images and Ic#.
Manufacturer
United Defense, L.P. (San Jose, CA; Fayette, PA; York, PA;
Arlington, VA)
(Source: U.S. Army) |
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