The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is an American armored troop transport and combat vehicle. Named after General Omar Bradley, a senior officer of the U.S. Army during World War II, it was designed as a response to the Soviet BMP series of infantry fighting vehicles, and entered service with the U.S. military in 1981.
Specifications:
- Weight: The Bradley weighs approximately 25 to 34 tons, depending on the specific variant and installed equipment.
- Size: It is about 21 feet (6.55 meters) long, 11.8 feet (3.6 meters) wide, and 9.8 feet (2.98 meters) high.
- Crew: The Bradley typically has a crew of three: a commander, gunner, and driver. It can also transport a squad of up to six or seven fully equipped soldiers.
- Armament: The vehicle’s main armament is a 25mm Bushmaster chain gun. It also carries a TOW missile launcher for engaging heavy armor at long range, as well as a 7.62mm M240C machine gun mounted coaxially with the main gun.
- Engine: The Bradley is powered by a 600 horsepower (447 kW) turbocharged diesel engine, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 40 mph (65 km/h) on roads and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road.
- Armor: The Bradley’s armor is designed to withstand 14.5mm rounds, and its front armor can resist 30mm rounds. Later versions of the Bradley have been upgraded with additional reactive or passive armor for better protection.
Variants:
There are two main variants of the Bradley:
- M2 Bradley: This is the standard infantry fighting vehicle version, used to transport infantry onto the battlefield and support them with heavy firepower.
- M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle: This version is used for reconnaissance and has more space for ammunition but less for troops (only two passengers instead of six or seven).
There are also several specialized versions of the Bradley, including command vehicles, fire support vehicles, and anti-aircraft versions.
Service History:
The Bradley has been used by the U.S. military in several conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan. It has proven to be a reliable and versatile vehicle, although it has also faced criticism for being overly complex and vulnerable to certain types of attacks.
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is expected to be replaced by the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) as part of the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV) program.
As mentioned before, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) has been used extensively in multiple conflicts since it entered service in the 1980s.
Operational History:
Persian Gulf War: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the BFV proved its worth. It accounted for the largest number of Iraqi armored vehicle kills, even surpassing those by the M1 Abrams, due to its TOW missiles and 25mm autocannon. However, it also suffered losses from friendly fire due to identification issues between it and enemy vehicles.
Bosnia: In the late 1990s, the BFV was used during the implementation of the peace agreement in Bosnia.
Iraq War: In 2003, the BFV saw significant action during the Iraq War, where it was used to transport troops and provide fire support during urban operations. However, its large profile, limited armor, and high fuel consumption made it vulnerable in certain situations.
Afghanistan: The BFV has also been used in Afghanistan as part of the ongoing conflict there. Its primary roles have been patrol duties, convoy security, and supporting infantry in combat operations.
Modifications and Future:
In light of the experiences gained in these conflicts, several modifications have been made to the Bradley to increase its survivability and performance. These include improved armor, the addition of explosive reactive armor, improved fire control systems, better sensors, and additional anti-missile defense systems.
The BFV is part of an extensive modernization program within the U.S. Army known as the Next Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV). The Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is intended to replace the BFV. The OMFV will not only offer better protection, firepower, and mobility but also the capability to be operated with or without a crew.