M2 & M3
Bradleys
Bradley FIghting
Vehicle
The M2 and M3 Bradley FIghting Vehicle is
a lightly armored, fully tracked transport
vehicle that provides cross-country
mobility, mounted firepower and
protection from artillery and small-arms
fire. It is used in mechanized infantry and
armored cavalry combat.
M2 Bradley
(Infantry Fighting
Vehicle)
The key feature of the M2 is its ability to carry a
whole squad of seven infantrymen in the back
along with the three crew members, making it a
10-man fighting machine.
The M2 is designed to deliver infantry directly to
the battlefield and support them with its
firepower.
The firing ports on the sides indicate that M2
Bradley carries dismounted troops.
M3 Bradley (Cavalry
Fighting Vehicle)
The M3 ditches the troop compartment for a
focus on scouting and recon missions. It carries
only two scout troopers in addition to the regular
crew.
To enhance its scouting role, the M3 carries more
TOW missiles than the M2 for taking out enemy
armor.
The M3 also has more ammunition for its main
gun and machine gun for extended operations.
The M3 doesn't have firing ports as it doesn't
carry dismounted troops.
Similarities
Firepower: Both pack a punch with a two-
man 25mm Bushmaster cannon turret and
a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
Protection: They provide solid protection
for the crew from small arms fire and
artillery shrapnel, making them ideal for
mechanized infantry and armored cavalry
operations.
Mobility: Both are tracked vehicles
offering great cross-country
maneuverability to keep up with fast-
paced combat situations.
Infantry can fight from inside the vehicle by using
modified M-16 rifles mounted in firing ports or may
dismount from the M2 version to fight on foot. The
vehicle is armed with a 25mm cannon, effective
against most armored targets, and with the TOW
missile, effective against lightly armored targets out
to its maximum range of 3,750 meters (2.3 miles).
The Bradley A2 ODS incorporates improvements
identified after Operation Desert Storm, including an
eye-safe laser rangefinder, global positioning and
navigation systems and an enhanced driver’s vision
device.
An optional Appliqué configuration provides
situational awareness via the Force XXI Battle
Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Appliqué
computer system.
Conclusion
The Bradley family as a whole was originally intended to support the M113 Armored Personnel
Carrier (APC), but ended up replacing it in U.S. Army service altogether. Today, the Bradley is
fielded in conjunction with the M1 Abrams series of main battle tanks and often accompanies
infantry squads into combat.
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