The M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle fulfilled a US Army requirement started in the early 1960's for a mechanized system to operate alongside the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (detailed elsewhere on this site). The result was the M2 and M3 Bradley systems which ended up actually replacing the M113 APC in US Army service thanks to its adaptable platform.
The major difference between the M2 and M3 initial designs was in their classification. The M2 was designated for the transportation of up to seven combat-ready infantrymen. The M3 system was therefore relegated to the armored reconnaissance and scouting role. Both systems appear visually identical and are fielded with the standard ATK Gun Systems Company M242 25mm cannon in a two-man turret which is also fitted with a single 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. Both vehicles are also fielded with the advanced TOW anti-tank missile system to the left side of the turret and can equally engage enemy infantry as well as armor.
Along with the differences mentioned above, the M2 Bradley is further distinguished by the added designation of IFV for "Infantry Fighting Vehicle" whilst the M3 Bradley features the CFV designation standing for "Cavalry Fighting Vehicle". The M2 system is also fielded with firing ports for infantrymen whereas the M3 does away with the ports and includes increased armor protection and improved storage for more ammunition. The first of two Bradley prototypes appeared as the XM2 and were produced by the FMC with deliveries of the Bradley family into US frontline service beginning in 1981.
The Bradley saw extensive action in the Persian Gulf War of 1991, accounting for more enemy tanks destroyed than that of the M1 and M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank systems. On the flip side, of the twenty Bradley's lost in the conflict, a whopping 17 were due to friendly fire accidents. As such, identification measures were put into place to curtail these incidents in future engagements.
The chassis of the M2 system makes up the automotive portion of the lethal M227 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) mobile battlefield artillery system detailed elsewhere on this website. Nearly 7,000 Bradley's have since been produced with US ally Saudi Arabia receiving no fewer than 400 of that total.
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Armored Vehicle Quick Profile
Image Courtesy of the Department of Defense..
1981
Designation:M2 Bradley Classification Type:Infantry Fighting Vehicle Contractor:United Defense LP, Ground Systems Div, CA, USA Country of Origin: United States Number Built: Not Available
Operators: the United States of America and Saudi Arabia.
Variants
M2 IFV - Base Infantry Fighting Vehicle
M2A1 IFV - Improved Base M2
M2A2 IFV
M2A3 IFV - Improved armor and powerpack system.
M2 BSFV - Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle air defense system.
M3 CFV - Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (5 passenger seating and increased ammunition storage capability); sans firing ports of the M2 model.
M3A1 CFV
M3A2 CFV
M3A3 CFV - Improved armor and powerpack system.
M6 Bradley Linebacker - TOW anti-tank system replaced with Stinger air-to-air missile system.
M7 Bradley FIST - Fire Support Team Vehicle
M2 Bradley Ambulance - sans turret
MLRS - Multiple Launch Rocket System (uses M2 Bradley chassis).
M4 - Command and Control Vehicle (uses MLRS chassis).
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