USA
M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

M2
GENERAL DATA
  M2A0 M2A1 M2A2 M2A3
Country of OriginUSA
RoleInfantry fighting vehicle
Date Of Introduction 1982 1986 1988 2000
Crew 3 (Bradley commander, gunner, driver) + 6 passengers 3 + 7 passengers
Combat Weight 25.1 tons (22.8 mt) 25.1 tons (22.8 mt) 32 tons (29 mt) 33 tons (30 mt)
Ground Pressure 7.7 psi (0.54 kg/cm²) 9.5 psi (0.67 kg/cm²) 9.93 psi (0.7 kg/cm²)
Length, Overall 21.5 ft (6.55 m) 21.5 ft (6.55 m)
Width, With Armor Tiles 11.83 ft (3.61 m) 11.83 ft (3.61 m)
Width, Without Armor Tiles 10.92 ft (3.33 m) 10.75 ft (3.28 m)
Height, Overall 9.92 ft (3.02 m) 11.8 ft (3.6 m)
Ground Clearance15 in (381 mm) minimum
PERFORMANCE
  M2A0 M2A1 M2A2 M2A3
Engine 500 hp (373 kw) Cummins VTA-903T diesel 600 hp (447 kw) Cummins VTA-903T diesel
Transmission HMPT-500 hydro-mechanical HMPT-500-3EC hydro-mechanical automatic
Range 300 miles (483 km) 265 miles (426 km) 250 miles (402 km)
Fuel Capacity175 gal (662 l)
Road Speed 41 mph (66 km/h) 38 mph (61 km/h)
Cross Country Speed?
Swim Speed 4.5 mph (7 km/h) 5 mph (8 km/h) N/A
Fording Depth 3.5 ft (1.1 m) unprepared.   Amphibious with swim barrier erected 3.5 ft (1.1 m) unprepared
Grade60%
Side Slope40%
Trench Crossing8.33 ft (2.54 m)
Vertical Wall Climb3.0 ft (0.91 m)
PROTECTION
  M2A0 M2A1 M2A2 M2A3
Armor Against 14.5mm projectiles on all sides Against 30mm projectiles on all sides. Spall liners. M2A3 adds titanium roof armor
Applique Armor Track skirts.
Explosive Reactive Armor N/A Available
Active Protective System N/A (M2A2 ODS upgrade adds Missile Countermeasure Device)
NBC Protection System Yes
Smoke Equipment M257 Smoke Grenade Launcher system: two 4-tube launchers (66mm L8A1/A3 smoke grenades)
ARMAMENT
M2A0/A1/A2/A3
Type Mount Typical Ammo Load
25mm M242 automatic gun Turret; dual-belt feed Ready: 300 (230 + 70).  Stowed: 600.
APFSDS-T, APDS-T, HEI-T
7.62 M240C machine gun Coaxial to main gun Ready: 800 (M2A3 Command: 400).  Stowed: 1,400
TOW ATGM launcher.
SACLOS; wire-guided
Turret-mounted, two tube launcher Ready: 2.  Stowed: 5.
M2A0: Basic TOW. M2A1/A2/A3: TOW II
M231 5.56mm Firing Port Weapon M2A0/A1: 6 (2 firing ports on each side, 2 in the ramp)
M2A2/A3: 2 (2 firing ports in the ramp)
M2A0/A1: 4,200 stowed
M2A2/A3: 2,520 stowed
FIRE CONTROL
 M2A0/A1/A2/A3
Fire Control System?
Main Gun StabilizationYes
RangefinderLaser
Infrared SearchlightN/A

NOTES

The M2 Bradley has been developed as the companion of the M1 Abrams main battle tank in the combined arms team. Its mobility is compatible with that of the Abrams and it provides the user with missile and conventional fire capable of defeating threat tanks and fighting vehicles.

The hull of the M2 is made of all-welded aluminum armor with spaced laminate armor fitted to the hull, sides, and rear. Latest production M2A2/M3A3 Bradleys have an additional layer of applique steel armor, plus explosive-reactive armor.

The commander dismounts with the infantrymen through the rear. A large hydraulic ramp has an integral door in the left side. Over the top of the troop compartment is a rear-opening hatch cover

Torsion-bar suspension on each side supports six dual rubber-tired road wheels, with drive sprocket in front. There are two track-return rollers. Hydraulic shock absorbers are on the first, second, third, and sixth road wheels. The single-pin tracks have replaceable rubber pads.



M231 5.56mm Firing Port Weapon
FM 3-22.1: M231
The infantry rifle squad uses the M231 FPW to engage enemy personnel, crew-served weapons, and ATGM teams, and to suppress suspected close-in enemy positions. The FPW has a maximum effective range of 300 meters (tracer burnout). When not using the FPWs, the crew stores them in their assigned storage racks located inside the vehicle.

M6-ST: Commander's Hand Station M6-ST: Gunner's Hand Station M6-ST: ISU/ELRF

VARIANTS

M2A0
1982. Original production model. See data above.
  • Basic TOW missile system.
  • 500 horsepower engine and basic transmission.
  • Integrated Sight Unit.
  • Thermal Imaging Day/Night Sight.
  • Amphibious with swim barrier.
  • C-141 Transportable.

M2A0 vehicles have been converted to M2A1, then M2A2 or M2A2 ODS configuration.
M2A1
1986. See data above.
  • TOW II missile system.
  • Gas Particulate Filter Units (GPFU) NBC system.
  • Fire suppression system.

In 1992, all M2A1 Bradleys began being remanufactured to M2A2 configuration.
M2A2
1988. See data above.
  • 600 horsepower engine and automatic transmission.
  • 30mm armor protection.
  • Mounting capability for reactive armor tiles.
  • Ammo restowage.
  • Spall liners.
  • C-17 Transportable.

M2A2 vehicles will be modified to M2A2 ODS configuration or remanufactured to M2A3 configuration.
M2A2 ODS, M2A2 ODSE
Lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm resulted in a series of combat feedback improvements into the Bradley M2A2 systems during overhaul. The M2A2 ODS-E model is tailored specifically for Engineer use. The ODS upgrades include the following:
  • Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder. Using the ELRF, the crew can determine target ranges.
  • Tactical Navigation System. The TACNAV system comprises the precision lightweight GPS receiver (PLGR) and the digital compass system (DCS).
  • Missile Countermeasure Device. The MCD can deter first-generation thermal, wire-guided anti-tank missiles.
  • Improved Vehicle Stowage:
    • Bench seats.
    • A tenth-man seat.
    • Mounted water ration heater.
    • Electric lift for engine-access door.
    • Outside stowage for personal gear.
    • Three 25-mm ammunition boxes. Each "hot box" contains 50 rounds of linked ammunition.
  • Driver's Vision Enhancer. The DVE is an uncooled, forward-looking infrared (FLIR), real-time thermal-imaging system.
  • Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below. The FBCB2 is a digital battlefield command information system.
M2A3
2000. See data above. The M2A3 has more equipment than earlier models. This equipment is also more complex than that on earlier models. Innovations on the digitized M2A3 improve the BFVs' abilities to shoot, move, and communicate:
  • Target Acquisition. The commander's independent viewer (CIV) and the improved Bradley acquisition subsystem (IBAS) use second-generation FLIR technology and day-TV video.
  • Turret Drive System. The TDS moves the weapon and stabilizes the weapon systems.
  • Situational Awareness. Improvements to the sights and the commander's tactical display (CTD) and squad leader's display (SLD).
  • Electrical Power Control. The A3 has segregated electrical power control. This means that many of its components can keep working when others fail.
  • Fire Control. The fire-control system allows the crew to independently search, track, and conduct target hand-off.
  • Integrated Communications, Command, and Control. The IC3 digital battle command information system provides situational awareness. It also offers real-time command and control information to A3 crews and passengers.
  • Improved navigational systems. The position-navigation subsystem (POS-NAV) provides accurate positioning and navigation data.
  • Diagnostics. The A3's built-in-test (BIT) continually monitors the system's turret status and shows the commander warnings and cautions about potentially dangerous faults.
  • Survivability features include:
    • Roof fragmentation protection.
    • Mounting capability for reactive armor tiles.
    • Aluminum structure with steel applique, spaced laminate steel armor, or both.
    • Titanium roof armor.
    • NBC Protection. The large gas-particulate filter system has additional crew stations and heaters to provide NBC protection to the entire Bradley crew and passengers.
    • Halon fixed fire extinguisher systems in engine and personnel compartments.
    • Portable CO2 fire extinguishers.
M3A0, M3A2, M3A3, M3A2 ODS
Original production M3 Cavalry fighting vehicle (CFV) and variants.
Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle
The BSFV variant carries a Stinger Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) team.
M6 Linebacker
M2A2 ODS air defense variant which replaces the TOW system with Stinger missile system.
M7 Bradley Fire Support Team
M2A2 ODS field artillery fire support variant. This model adds an inertial navigation system and a new targeting station control panel. A mission-processor unit automates the fire-request system.
AMEV
Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle derivative.

More M2 Art

M2