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M2A3 Bradley: Rapid Response
An M2A3 Bradley of Apache Troop, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, near Fallujah, Iraq 2004.
The American M2A3 Bradley with Old Glory.
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Summary:
- This suggestion is for the implementation of the M2A3 Bradley, which utilized several upgrades and munitions such as the M919 APFSDS, TOW-2A/B ATGM’s, and Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles. This vehicle performs identically to the already existing M3A3 Bradley in-game with the exception of less ATGM’s available.
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Description :
- The M2A3 Bradley is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle in service with the United States Army. Introduced in 2000, the M2A3 Bradley served in various battles during Operation Iraqi Freedom such as the Battle of Fallujah, Battle of Baghdad, and the Anbar Campaign. The main role of this vehicle is to rapidly move troops to and from front lines while providing supporting fire. This is done with it’s 25mm M242 Bushmaster Chain Gun, the M240C coaxial Machine Gun, and for anti-vehicle purposes, the Dual TOW Launcher capable of launching TOW-2A, and TOW-2B ATGM’s. The M2A3 can also house a squad of 7 soldiers, not including the crew of 3 it takes to operate the vehicle. On top of this, the M2A3 Bradley can stow 7 TOW-2 variant missiles in the hull. One of the main issues that was found was the survivability of the Bradley versus IED’s, however the crew is able to escape quickly due to the vehicles multi-entrance design. The M2A3 Bradley continues to be the Army’s answer due to its combat proven capabilities and is expected to serve for years and continue to receive new upgrades. In 2014, the Army began transitioning M3A3 Bradley Cavalry units to the M2A3 standard due to the lack of room for equipment and personnel in the M3A3 model. A new model, the M2A4 Bradley is being developed by BAE Land System’s which houses several key upgrades such as upgraded drivetrain, new engine, Bradley Urban Survival Kit (BUSK), IED Jammer, and much more. A contract was awarded in 2018 to produce up to 164 M2A4 Bradley’s. Currently, the U.S. Army fields several thousand M2 Bradley variants.
- Improvements over the M2A2 Bradley:
- Digital Systems
- 2nd Generation FLIR - Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV)
- 2nd Generation FLIR - Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS)
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Inertial Navigation Unit (INU)
- Commander’s Tactical Display (CTD)
- Improved Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Battlefield Command Information System capabilities for the Commander.
- Squad Leader’s Display (SLD)
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Armament:
- Main Weapon: 25mm M242 Chain Gun (w/ 900rds, 300 Ready-to-Fire)
- Rounds:
- M919 APFSDS-T
- M792 HEI-T
- Depression/Elevation: -9°/+59°
- Rounds:
- Additional Weapons:
- Coaxial M240C Machine Gun (w/ 2,200rds, 200rds/Gun Belt)
- BGM-71 Dual TOW Launcher (w/ 7 ATGM’s, 2 in Launcher, 5 Stowed)
- TOW-2A ATGM
- TOW-2B ATGM
- Main Weapon: 25mm M242 Chain Gun (w/ 900rds, 300 Ready-to-Fire)
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Maneuverability:
- Engine: 600hp Cummins VTA-903T 8-cyl Diesel Engine
- Transmission: HMPT-500-3 Hydromechanical Transmission (6-forward, 2-reverse)
- Chassis: Torsion Bar
- Max Speed: 56km/h
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Dimensions:
- Length: 6.55m
- Width: 3.6m
- Height : 2.98m
- Weight: ~28t (~32t w/ Reactive Armor Tiles)
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Crew (3x):
- Commander
- Driver
- Gunner
- 7 Passengers
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Features:
- 8x Smoke Grenades
- Laser Rangefinder
- Optics:
- Driver: ANVAS-5 Thermal Imager
- Gunner: Bradley Integrated Gunner Sight - IBAS Thermal Imager System
- Commander: Raytheon Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer
- Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles I/II (BRAT I/II)
- Capable of defeating shaped-charged HEAT rounds (minimum of 260mm of protection against HEAT) as well as being able to sustain hits from small arms ammunition and artillery shrapnel.
- BRAT II increased protection against Kinetic Rounds.
- 96 Tiles can be added to the M2A3 Bradley.
- ESS
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Reason for Implementation:
- Implementing this vehicle will provide the U.S. tree additional light vehicles needed around the 9.0 BR. Not only this, but with the addition of the Bradley Reactive Armor would increase its survivability against in-game ATGM’s. This vehicle would play exactly like the already existing M3A3 Bradley, however they are considered two separate vehicles. Not only that, but M3A3 Bradley’s will be returned to M2A3 configuration or converted to M2A4 Bradley’s. Due to this, the M2A3 Bradley deserves a chance to be implemented in-game.
- The M2A3, if need to differentiate itself from the M3A3 Bradley (worst case scenario) could be equipped with the BRAT I/II Reactive Armor Tiles while the M3A3 can remain standard.
- If this vehicle is implemented with the ERA, the M3A3 Bradley in-game already needs it as well.
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Imagery/Videos:
Spoiler
M2A3 Bradley equipped with Bradley Reactive Tiles, and Commander’s Protection Shield.
M2A3 Bradley’s conducting live-fire drills.
M2A3 Bradley in Iraq with its 25mm gun slewed upward.
M2A3 Bradley without the Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles.
The 2nd Generation Gunner’s Thermal Imager, part of the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS).
M5A2 Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles.
The new M2A4 Bradley being tested by the U.S. Army.
Another view of the M2A4 Bradley.
Video of a M2A3 Bradley demonstration.
M2A3 Bradley virtual tour.
M2A3 Bradley live-fire drills.
- Sources:
- M2 Bradley - Wikipedia - General Data
- https://www.baesystems.com/en/product/bradley-fighting-vehicle - General Data
- https://www.military.com/equipment/m2-m3-bradley-fighting-vehicle - General Data
- https://www.army-technology.com/projects/bradley-m2-m3/ - General Data
- https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/gcs-bradley-fighting-vehicle-a3-system-upgrade/ - General Data
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2020_news_defense_global_security_army_industry/bae_systems_continues_to_deliver_upgraded_variant_m2_a4_bradley_tracked_armored_ifv_to_us_army.html - M2A4 Upgrade Plan
- US Army M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle | Defence Forum & Military Photos - DefenceTalk - Imagery
- leonardodrs.com/what-we-do/products-and-services/improved-bradley-acquisition-subsystem-ibas/ - IBAS
- https://www.gd-ots.com/protection-systems/force-protection-systems/reactive-armor-bradley-fighting-vehicle/ - Bradley Reactive Armor
- https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Reactive-Armor-Bradley-Fighting-Vehicle.pdf - Bradley Reactive Armor
- 25MM Bushmaster Ammunition - Established, Combat Proven, Reliable - 25mm Ammunition
- https://www.army-technology.com/projects/tow-2-missile/ - BGM-71 TOW Missile
