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The M3 cavalry fighting vehicle was essentially a restowed M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The M3 was the cavalry scout version, and its passenger compartment was occupied by two observers and more ammunition and missiles. Since the M3 lacked an infantry squad, it carried no firing port weapons, and the firing ports themselves were covered. The M3 retained the three periscopes between the cargo hatch and entry ramp and the periscopes along the sides of the vehicle.

The M3A1 incorporated the same improvements as the M2A1 Bradley. The CFV differed from the IFV in having NBC masks connected to the central filter for all five crewmen, instead of just the driver, gunner, and vehicle commander. The three periscopes on the rear deck were omitted in the M3A1, and replaced by four periscopes in the cargo hatch itself. The two periscopes on the right side of the passenger copmpartment were also deleted.

M3A2 acquired the improved armor protection and other modifications of the M2A2. After live firing testing, the seating and stowage arrengements of the Bradley were redrawn. The observers were moved to a bench on the left side of the vehicle, and the missile stowage was rearranged to enhance safety in case of an armor penetration.

After Operation Desert Storm, the M3A2 was upgraded again with the addition of an eye-safe carbon dioxide laser rangefinder, global positioning system and compass, missile countermeasure device, combat identification system, and thermal viewer for the driver. The 1423 -A2 Bradleys brought up to this standard were referred to as -A2ODS Bradleys.

The M3A3 uses enhanced information and communication equipment, including a 1553 databus, central processing unit, and information displays for the vehicle commander and squad leader. The M3A3 became compatible with the intervehicular communication system of the M1A2 Abrams tank and AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter. The commander was provided with an independent thermal viewer, and a new integrated sight unit called the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) allowed automatic gun adjustments, automatic boresighting, and tracking of dual targets. The CITV and integrated sight are both second-generation FLIR systems. The roof was reinforced with titanium armor. M3A3s are being converted from M3A2s.

Additional Sources:

afvdb.50megs.com
www.militaryfactory.com
www.army-technology.com
www.militarymuseum.org
www.usarmor-assn.org
tanxheaven.com
community.webshots.com
myhome.naver.net
www.geocities.com/ equipmentshop

The M2 and M3 Bradley fighting vehicles are designed to operate in combat with the same speed as the M1A1 Abrams and with a greater degree of protection than the M113 armored personnel carrier. The M2 provides infantry squads with a light armored fighting vehicle. The M3 provides scout and armored cavalry units with a vehicle for reconnaissance, screening, and security missions. The infantry version has firing ports for modified M16 rifles. Other modifications include enhanced armor. In addition to the M2 and M3 configurations, the A1 and A2 versions of both models were deployed to Southwest Asia.

The role of the Bradley M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is to transport infantry, provide fire cover and suppress enemy armour.

Provides protected transport of an infantry squad on the battlefield and overwatching fires to support the dismounted infantry; is employed to suppress and defeat enemy tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, bunkers, dismounted infantry and attack helicoptors; and performs cavalry scout and other essential (Bradley-equipped fire support and Stinger teams) missions in the 21st century. The infantry version (M2) is used most often to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver. The primary tasks performed by the cavalry version (M3) as part of a troop and/or squadron are reconnaissance, security and flank guard missions.

Morning Sam,

I have a little Bradley anecdote for you.

Back in 85 or 86 while I was going through the ROTC program at San Jose State, a bunch of us cadets were treated to a tour of the FMC factory where they were building the first run of Bradleys. It was a very impressive tour, complete with a look at the test track out back where a few Brads were putting around.

At the end of the tour were ended up in a conference room where a PR guy asked us if we had any questions. There were several lame questions that made it clear no one had been following the development of the vehicle as I had (I was the only "prior-service" cadet in the bunch and therefore several years older than the rest). If you remember at the time, there was a lot of controversy about the aluminum armor.

So, I asked about it ans stated some of the criticisms I had heard, thinking they would welcome a chance to convince a soon-to-be officer that it was not in fact a "death trap" or mere "tank & RPG bait."

WRONG!

You'd have though I'd dropped my skivvies and taken a dump on the conference room table from the "offended" reaction. Later back at school, the Major that had arranged the tour reprimanded me for asking such an "impolitic" question. Because of this I had a very bad taste in my mouth concerning the Bradley for a long time, one that didn't go away until after the Gulf War where it proved itself.

My reasoning was, if you're gonna ask me to climb in a and ride it into battle, you at least ought to be willing to answer a few tough questions. Anyway, I don't recall any more cadets being asked to come tour their facility during the rest of my time in the SJSU ROTC program.

Hell, they didn't even give us any complimentary t-shirts. Nothing. That PR guy was a total loser.