[Matt Wiser]

And the M2 Bradley:


The M-2 Bradley in World War III



The M-2 Bradley was the U.S. Army's answer to the Soviet BMP, and though criticized by Congressmen and “defense” correspondents in the prewar years, served with distinction during the Third World War. First fielded in 1983, the vehicle saw combat from the first days of the war to the last, and has served in several postwar conflicts in both U.S., as well as foreign, service. This fact file covers the Bradley's wartime variants, as well as its postwar service.

Variants:


M2: The initial production variant, produced by FMC (later United Defense) at its San Jose, CA plant. Armed with an M242 25-mm Bushmaster cannon firing APDS-T and HEI-T ammunition, TOW missile launcher (two ready rounds plus five reloads), M240 Coax 7.62-mm machine gun, and six M231 firing port weapons. Thermal sight fitted as standard . Cummins 600 HP engine with HPMT hydro-mechanical transmission. Crew of three plus six infantry.

M2A1: Improved version fitted with TOW II ATGM, Gas Particulate Filter Unit NBC system, and improved fire-suppression system. Seat for a seventh infantryman added behind turret.

M2A2: Entered service in 1988 based on wartime experience. Troop number reduced to six, with armor improvements added. Kevlar spall liners added, side firing ports blocked by additional armor, and ability to carry reactive armor, and considered able to withstand 30-mm rounds.Troop number reduced to six.

M2A2A1: Final wartime version in 1989, but too late for combat. Eye-safe laser rangefinder installed, thermal sight for driver, combat indentification system, and TACNAV system for commander. Primary version used by ARNG and Army Reserve.

M2A3: Fielded in FY 2000. Fully digital combat system for commander, gunner and driver. Improved thermal sights, Commander's independent thermal sight, Force XXI Battlefield Command Information System, and GPS/INS all standard. Improved reactive armor and mine protection installed, and improved NBC system. Standard Regular Army version, with some now being issued to ARNG and Army Reserve units.

M2A4: Final version with improved engine, transmission, lightweight shock absorbers. Armament and electronics same as A3 version. Fielded beginning FY 15.

M3: Cavalry version of M2, with two dismounted scouts instead of infantry squad. Improved versions designated M3A2, M3A3, M3A4, respectively with same improvements as M2. Increased TOW missile capacity (12 reloads plus two in launcher).

M4 Command Vehicle: Command vehicle based on MLRS chassis, which is based on the M2 Chassis. Augments, but does not replace, M577 CP vehicle. Used as Corps and Division mobile TAC CP, and TOC at Brigade and Battalion.

Warhammer Bradley: M2A3s fitted with twin Javelin missile launcher in place of TOW-II.

M6 Bradley Linebacker: Air defense version with four-round Stinger launcher. Replaced by M105 ADGS, and vehicles converted to M2A3 standard.

M7 Bradley FIST: Version used by artillery FIST teams for fire direction. FIST equipment replaces the TOW launcher, but cannon and machine gun retained.

M270 MLRS: Multiple-launch rocket system (see later fact file)

M993: Tracked cargo carrier based on MLRS.


Service History:

In service with the 1st Cavalry and 2nd Armored Divisions at the outbreak of war, the vehicle gave excellent service during the initial invasion, and in the campaigns that followed. Production continued at San Jose, and at a second plant in DeKalb, IL during the war. The Bradley became the primary infantry vehicle used by the Army, but it did not replace the M-113 APC until the late 1990s. Crews found that they easily outshot the BMP-1 and BMP-2, and easily outgunned the BTR series. Enterprising crews even used the 25-mm gun to take enemy armor from the flanks and rear, with the T-55 and T-62 being vulnerable, and even T-72s were killed on occasion. Combat service postwar in the Baja War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Bradley also saw service with Canada, the ROC, and the ROK Army during the war and after.


Users:

U.S. Army: Combat throughout the war, in both Southern and Northern Theaters and in Eastern Europe.

Canadian Army: Fielded along with the Warrior in Canadian Army mechanized infantry units. Adopted by the Canadians postwar as their primary IFV in Regular Army units.

ROC Army: Main IFV used by 1st Taiwanese Mechanized Division, and later used on the mainland in anti-warlord campaigns.

ROK Army: Used by ROK Expeditionary Force in Southwest, and later on, by ROK Capital Corps in place of KIFV infantry vehicle. Used in peacekeeping operations in former North Korea after fall of the Rump USSR and nuclear strikes on North Korea.


Postwar:

Australia: Adopted by Australian Army in 1990s to replace the M-113.

Saudi Arabia: Adopted in 1995 as M-113 replacement for Royal Saudi Army.

UAE: Adopted 2000 by UAE Ground Forces to replace French VCI series.


Captured Vehicles: A number of captured Bradleys were taken to the USSR by the Soviets during the war for evaluation. One found at the Kubinka Tank Museum in Moscow, while several others were discovered at various Soviet Army test and training grounds.

One additional example was found at Havana's Museum of the Revolution after the fall of the Castro Regime, and has since been returned to the U.S.