M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle

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Short summary

I Propose adding the M2A4E1 Bradley, the A4 baseline Bradley fitted with an Iron Fist hard-kill active protection system and optional BUSK III survivability kit. This variant preserves the Bradley armament and mobility while adding modern APS, upgraded power and sensors, and urban survivability upgrades. The suggestion focuses on the vehicle as an M2A4 family member with the A4E1 configuration shown in public demonstrations and press coverage.


IMG_5428

History

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle has been in continuous service with the United States Army since the early 1980s. While earlier upgrades such as the M2A2 and M2A3 improved armor, lethality, and optics, by the late 2010s the platform faced growing limitations in electrical power, onboard processing, and survivability against modern anti-tank guided missiles and top-attack munitions.

To address these issues, the U.S. Army initiated the M2A4 Bradley upgrade program, focused on extending the service life of the vehicle until the future XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle enters service. The M2A4 program emphasized a new electrical architecture, upgraded power generation, improved suspension, and digital backbone enhancements to support modern sensors, command systems, and active protection systems.

As part of this effort, the Army began testing hard-kill Active Protection Systems (APS) to counter the widespread proliferation of RPGs and ATGMs observed in recent conflicts. After evaluations of multiple systems, the Army selected Iron Fist Light Decoupled APS, developed by Elbit Systems, for integration on Bradley vehicles. Iron Fist was chosen due to its relatively low weight, compact launcher design, and suitability for medium-weight armored vehicles.

The M2A4E1 designation has been used publicly to describe Bradley vehicles built on the A4 baseline and fitted with Iron Fist APS and enhanced survivability features. This configuration has been shown in Army and defense media as a demonstrator and test configuration, pairing the A4’s electrical upgrades with APS integration that was not feasible on earlier Bradley variants.

In parallel with APS testing, the Army continued to field BUSK III (Bradley Urban Survivability Kit III) improvements, incorporating lessons learned from urban combat operations. These upgrades include improved blast protection for crew and fuel systems, turret survivability enhancements, and emergency egress improvements. The A4 architecture allows these kits to be installed alongside APS and advanced optics without overloading vehicle power systems.

The M2A4E1 therefore represents a transitional Bradley configuration, combining legacy Bradley armament and mobility with modern survivability systems, sensors, and electronic infrastructure. Its role is to keep mechanized infantry units viable against contemporary battlefield threats while bridging the gap to next-generation infantry fighting vehicles.

Design and key features

Hull and protection
• Base Bradley hull: welded aluminum with spaced laminate armor, with applique and BUSK-style bolt-on survivability options available. BUSK III includes blastproof fuel cell, blast-resistant driver seat, turret survivability measures, and emergency ramp release. 

Active protection system (APS)
• Iron Fist hard-kill APS by Elbit is fitted to the A4E1 demonstrator. Iron Fist provides 360-degree detection using RF and IR sensors and engages select incoming threats with interceptor charges. Elbit has publicized contracts to supply Iron Fist for Bradley upgrades. 

Sensors and optics
• Gunner sight: Improved Bradley acquisition-type IBAS style sight with 2nd generation FLIR, day TV, laser range finder, and dual target tracker capability.
• Commander: Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) procurement to the Bradley program provides a 360-degree independent electro-optical view to enable hunter-killer workflows. RTX announced a contract to deliver CIV units for Bradley upgrades. 

Protection suites and crew systems
• A4 electrical and power upgrades allow fitment of BUSK kits and APS, as well as environmental control upgrades for dismount comfort and additional electronics. BUSK III history and rollouts are documented in Army communications and BAE Systems releases. 

Armament and battlefield role
• Primary armament remains the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon with coaxial 7.62 mm MG and ATGM capability (TOW family). The M2A4E1 is intended to keep the Bradley in the mechanized infantry fighting vehicle role while improving survivability and sensor capability to address modern anti-armor threats and drone threats. 

Specifications / Technical Data

Manufacturer: BAE Systems

Service: United States Army

Role: Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Crew:

• 3 (commander, gunner, driver)

• Up to 6 dismounted infantry

Hull and layout:

• Welded aluminum hull with spaced laminate armor

• Appliqué armor and BUSK III survivability kits supported by A4 electrical architecture

Engine and mobility:

• Engine: Cummins VTA-903T diesel

• Engine output: ~600 hp (A4 configuration, uprated to support APS and modern electronics)

• Transmission: HMPT-500 hydromechanical

• Power-to-weight ratio: ~18–20 hp/t depending on armor kit

• Top speed: ~41 mph (66 km/h) road

• Operational range: ~300 miles (≈ 480 km), varies with load

• Suspension: Torsion bar

• Drive: Tracked

Dimensions (approximate, vary with armor kits):

• Length: 254–258 in (6.45–6.55 m)

• Width: 126–129 in (3.20–3.30 m), without armor kit

• Height (over commander’s hatch): ~117 in (3.0 m)

• Ground clearance: ~18 in (45.7 cm)

Weight:

• Combat weight (A4 with armor kits): ~60,000 lb (≈ 27,200 kg) reported for A4 configurations

• Ground pressure: ~9.3 psi with full armor kit

Obstacle performance:

• Max road gradient: 60%

• Side slope: ~30%

• Vertical obstacle: ~36 in (0.9 m)

• Trench crossing: up to ~8.3 ft (2.5 m)

• Fording: Amphibious with preparation (legacy Bradley capability, dependent on kit)

Armament:

• 1x 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun

• 1x 7.62 mm M240C coaxial machine gun

• 1x BGM-71 TOW / TOW-2 ATGM launcher

Ammunition capacity:

• 25 mm: ~1,500 rounds (ready + stowed)

• ATGM: up to 12 TOW missiles

• 7.62 mm: vehicle stowage dependent

Gun handling:

• Elevation: approx. +59° / −9°

• Turret traverse: 360°

• Traverse rate: ~6 seconds per full rotation

• Elevation rate: ~60°/second

• Fire modes: single shot, 100 rpm, 200 rpm

Fire control and optics:

• Gunner sight: IBAS-type system with

– Day TV

– 2nd generation FLIR

– Laser rangefinder

– Dual target tracker

• Commander sight: Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV)

– 360° independent rotation

– 2nd generation FLIR

– Hunter-killer target handoff capability

Survivability systems:

• Active Protection System: Iron Fist hard-kill APS (Elbit Systems)

• Urban survivability: BUSK III style kits

– Blast-resistant driver seat

– Blastproof fuel cell

– Turret survivability measures

Suggested modification for in-game implementation:

Spoiler

Armour upgrade BUSK as an modification, very similar to the sep/sep v2’s
It could look something like this:


I also think 11.0 - 11.3 would be a good br for this to sit at if we look at other vehicles like the Puma VTJF, KF41, Namer Tsrikhon and EBRC Jaguar. (Subjective)

Sources:

  1. Elbit Systems press release on Iron Fist contract for Bradley upgrades: https://www.elbitsystems.com/news/elbit-systems-awarded-127-million-contract-supply-iron-fist-aps-upgrading-us-armys-bradley

  2. Defense Post coverage of Iron Fist for Bradley: US Army Bradley IFVs to Be Upgraded With Elbit Iron Fist APS

  3. RTX/Raytheon press release for Commander’s Independent Viewer contract: News | RTX's Raytheon business awarded $154 million to deliver Commander's Independent Viewer units to the U.S. Army | RTX

  4. BAE Systems/ArmyRecognition/press coverage on M2A4E1 details and A4 specs:
    BAE Systems Unveils More Details on Its Latest M2A4E1 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle

  5. Army.mil article on BUSK III urban survivability kits and features: Bradley Urban Survivability Kits installed early, under budget | Article | The United States Army

  6. Wikipedia M2 Bradley page for general baseline specs and upgrade context: M2 Bradley - Wikipedia

Here is a link to a suggestion on the BUSK kit for the Bradley would higly recommend you to read it! M3A3 bradley ERA (BUSK)

Here is a link to a promotional video of the iron fist fitted on a M2A4E1 https://youtu.be/I0ymxZruvvI?si=tjxMTpxhyQkDBQ-P

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+1 never too much Bradley’s!

1 Like