Bradley Fighting Vehicle The Bradley Fighting Vehicle ( BFV ) is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments , formerly United Defense . It was named after U . S . General Omar Bradley . The Bradley is designed to transport infantry or scouts with armor protection while providing covering fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles . There are several Bradley variants , including the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the M3 Bradley cavalry fighting vehicle . The M2 holds a crew of three : a commander , a gunner and a driver , as well as six fully equipped soldiers . The M3 mainly conducts scout missions and carries two scouts in addition to the regular crew of three , with space for additional TOW missiles . Design . The Bradley was developed largely in response to the Soviet BMP family of infantry fighting vehicles , and to serve as both an armored personnel carrier ( APC ) , and a tank - killer . One specific design requirement was that it should be as fast as the then new M1 Abrams main battle tank so that they could maintain formations while moving , something which the older M113 armored personnel carrier could do even better thanks to superior engine power / weight ratio , even though it had been designed to complement the older and slower M60 Patton . Armament . The M2 / M3 ' s primary armament is a 25 mm cannon which fires up to 200 rounds per minute and is accurate up to 2500 m , depending on the ammunition used . It is also armed with twin missile launchers for TOW antitank missiles . The missiles , capable of destroying most tanks out to a maximum range of , can only be fired while the vehicle is stationary . The Bradley also carries a coaxial 7 . 62 mm medium machine gun , located to the right of the 25 mm chain gun . Primary . The Bradley is equipped with the M242 25 mm chain gun as its main weapon . The M242 has a single barrel with an integrated dual - feed mechanism and remote feed selection . The gun contains ammunition in two ready boxes of 70 rounds and 230 rounds each for a total of 300 ready rounds and carries 600 rounds in storage ( in the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle variant ) or 1200 stowed rounds ( in the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle variant ) . The two ready boxes allow a selectable mix of rounds such as the M791 APDS - T ( Armor - Piercing Discarding Sabot ( with ) Tracer ) , and M792 HEI - T ( High Explosive Incendiary ( with ) Tracer ) rounds . The tungsten APDS - T rounds proved highly effective in Desert Storm being capable of knocking out many Iraqi vehicles including several kills on T - 55 tanks . There have even been reports of kills against Iraqi T - 72 tanks at close range . Subsequent ammunition developments resulted in the M919 APFSDS - T ( Armor - Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer ) round , which contains a finned depleted uranium penetrator similar in concept to armor piercing munitions used in modern tanks . The M919 was used in combat during the 2003 invasion phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom ( OIF ) . Secondary . It is also armed with a M240C machine gun mounted coaxial ly to the M242 , with 2 , 200 rounds of 7 . 62 mm ammunition . For engaging heavier targets ( such as when acting in an anti - tank fashion ) , the Bradley has a TOW missile system on board , which was changed to fire TOW II missiles , from the M2A1 model onwards . M2 infantry Bradleys also have firing ports for a number of M231 Firing Port Weapon s ( FPWs ) , providing a means for the occupants to fire from within the vehicle and replacing the top - side gunners on the M113 - based Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles ( ACAV ) , though the M231 is rarely employed . Initial variants carried six in total , but the side ports were plated over with the new armor configuration on the A2 and A3 variants , leaving only the two rear - facing mounts in the loading ramp . No versions of the M3 CFV carry firing port weapons , though early versions had all six firing port mounts fitted and plated over , while newer versions retain the two ramp mounted firing ports though again , plated over . Countermeasures . The use of aluminum armor and the storage of large quantities of ammunition in the vehicle initially raised questions about its combat survivability . Spaced laminate belts and high hardness steel skirts have been added to improve the side protection of later versions , although this increases overall weight to 33 tons . However actual combat operations have not shown the Bradley to be deficient as losses have been few . In friendly fire incidents in Desert Storm , many crew members survived hits that resulted in total losses for lighter U . S . Marine Corps LAV - 25 vehicles . All versions are also equipped with two four - barreled smoke grenade launchers on the front of the turret for creating defensive smoke screen s , and can also be loaded with chaff and flares . Bradley Urban Survival Kit . The Bradley Urban Survival Kit ( BUSK ) is an upgrade similar to the M1 Abrams TUSK kit . It decreases the vulnerability of Bradleys in urban threat environments . The kit includes a more powerful spotlight , a wire mesh protector to keep the optics from getting scratched and non - conductive arched strips of nylon that push away fallen electrical wires ( power line protection ) that would endanger crews , a remote controlled 5 . 56mm machine gun on the turret , additional armor on the underside , and a bullet resistant transparent shield for the commander outside the turret . It also includes sensors and a software package to quickly detect when components are wearing out and simulation software so the gunners could train more realistically . The BUSK kit adds 3 tons of weight to the vehicle . Because of this , a major upgrade was planned . Additional upgrades included a stronger 800 horsepower engine , a larger main gun , lighter armor , improved sensors and cameras to give a 360 degree view outside , and an improved fire extinguisher system . This system was supposed to enter service in 2012 , but the Bradley simply became too heavy and the kit did not make it survivable enough . A newer BUSK III kit is now available for Bradleys incorporating a blast - proof fuel cell , a blast resistant driver seat , a turret survivability system , and an emergency ramp release . This kit was recently installed on 236 M2A3 Bradleys in Korea and is scheduled next to be added to Bradleys of the 4th Infantry Division . Mobility . The Bradley is highly capable in cross - country open terrain , in accordance with one of the main design objectives of keeping pace with the M1 Abrams main battle tank . Whereas the M113 would float without much preparation , the Bradley was initially designed to float by deploying a flotation curtain around the vehicle , allowing the vehicle to " swim " at a speed of 1 mile per hour . This resulted in some drownings due to currents sending the vehicle adrift and flotation screen failures caused by poor storage conditions which caused the vulcanized rubber screens to crack and / or rot during its first trials . Armor upgrades have negated this capability . History . Development . One of the early issues that drove the development of the IFV was the need to have a vehicle which could serve in a high - intensity conflict in Europe which was feared might include the use of NBC weapons . To work in such an environment an IFV would have to have a life - support system that protected from outside contaminants while allowing the soldiers to fight from inside the vehicle . The earliest specification , from 1958 , called for a vehicle of no more than 8 tons , mounting a turret with a 20 mm autocannon and a 7 . 62 mm machine gun , with sealed firing ports for 5 infantry gunners . The first U . S . Army IFV design was the XM734 , a modified version of the M113 . A commander ' s cupola and passenger firing ports were added . The second design was the XM765 Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle , based on the M113A1 chassis . The upper sides of the vehicle were sloped & spaced steel armor plates were added to improve protection . In addition , firing ports for the passengers were added and a M139 20 mm cannon was added to the commander ' s cupola . In 1963 the U . S . and West German governments began work on the MBT - 70 design and an IFV companion project was the Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle ( MICV - 70 ) . The contract was handed to the Pacific Car and Foundry Company which delivered the XM701 prototype in 1965 . The prototypes had the following characteristics : weight of 25 – 27 tons ( depending on an aluminum or steel hull ) ; 425 HP diesel engine ; a 2 - man turret with a 20 mm gun & 7 . 62 mm MG ; crew of three plus nine infantry equipped with firing ports ; a built - in toilet ; armor that was proof against Soviet 14 . 5 mm MG fire beyond a certain range ; a collective and overpressure CBR system ; amphibious . The filtration system provided a shirt - sleeve environment until the passengers dismounted , after that they could not re - pressurize without fear of contamination , but they could plug their suits into the vehicle ' s filtration system . The vehicle was , , and . After testing the vehicle was criticized for poor mobility and excessive weight and size - it could not be carried aboard a C - 130 or a C - 141 Starlifter ) . New specifications were written in 1965 . In 1967 the public display of the BMP - 1 caused additional interest in the MICV - 70 program which concluded its studies in 1968 . However , continued disagreements on specifications continued to slow down development . At this time the Army looked at two alternate vehicles which could be fielded more quickly . The FMC company had developed an IFV version of the M113 which had a one - man turret mounting a 25 mm gun , a sealed environment , and firing ports . The vehicle weight was 15 tons . The U . S . Army rejected it due to limited mobility which would prevent it from keeping pace with the proposed MBT - 70 . However , the design was purchased by the Dutch and Belgian governments . The other alternate vehicle was the West German Marder which mounted a 20 mm autocannon , two 7 . 62 mm MGs , relatively strong steel armor , and full CBR protection . The U . S . Army rejected it due to it not being amphibious , too large and heavy for air transport , and too expensive . The MICV program continued on and in 1972 a new request for proposals was issued which was won by FMC and they began construction of the XM723 prototype which was completed in 1973 . The XM723 weighed 21 tons , had spaced aluminum armor proof against 14 . 5 mm fire , had a crew of three plus eight infantry , firing ports for the infantry , and a one - man turret with a 20 mm gun . The commander sat inside the hull . In order to adapt the XM723 to be usable in a reconnaissance role as well as an IFV the turret was replaced in 1976 with a two - man turret mounting a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon and TOW missiles ( this was the MICV TBAT - II design ) . A two - man turret design put the commander in a position with a better view of the battlefield . The TOW missiles would give the vehicle a strong anti - armor capability . The value of anti - tank missiles had been well established in the 1973 Yom Kippur war . There was an added political advantage in that the TOW missiles made it an easier sell to Congress as it was a whole new capability not possessed by the M113 . In 1977 the MICV TABA - II was renamed to XM2 . The scout version became the XM3 . The U . S . Congress was questioning the development of the XM2 due to the high losses incurred by BMP - 1s in the 1973 war and suggested the development of a more heavily armored vehicle . The Army argued against this due to concerns about cost , weight , and development time . In 1977 Congress ordered two new evaluations of the IFV program , one by the GAO and one by the Department of the Army , under General Pat Crizer . The GAO report was critical of the XM2 ' s height , mobility , complexity , lack of clear doctrinal use , and lack of CBR protection . Based upon this criticism the OMB deleted M2 / 3 funding from the budget for the 1979 financial year . In 1978 the Crizer report asserted that the basic design was consistent with doctrine and development of an IFV with superior characteristics would be costly and pose significant developmental risks . An additional study , the IFV / CFV Special Study Group , evaluated whether an improved version of the M113 could be used instead of the M2 / 3 IFV . Their conclusion was that extensive redesign would be necessary for even marginal improvements in M113 derivatives . In October 1978 Congress reauthorized procurement funds . The XM2 / 3 passed the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council Milestone II review in 1979 and final approval for production came from the Secretary of Defense on 1 February 1980 . Production history . The Bradley , named after World War II General Omar Bradley , consists of two types of vehicles , the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle . The M3 CFV was originally planned to be named after General Jacob L . Devers , but it was decided the Bradley name would apply to both , since both vehicles are based on the same chassis ( they differ in only some details ) . The M2 carries a crew of three and a six - man infantry squad . The M3 carries the crew of three and a two - man scout team and additional radios , TOW and Dragon or Javelin missiles . Even after the troubled development history of the Bradley additional problems occurred after production started as described in a book by Air Force Col . James Burton , which was adapted for the 1998 film " The Pentagon Wars " starring Kelsey Grammer and Cary Elwes . Burton advocated the use of comprehensive live fire tests on fully loaded military vehicles to check for survivability . The Army & Navy agreed and established the Joint Live fire testing program in 1984 . When testing the Bradley , however , disagreements occurred between Burton and the Aberdeen Proving Ground ' s Ballistic Research Laboratory , which preferred smaller , more controlled , " building block " tests . They claimed such limited ( and according to Col . Burton , completely unrealistic ) testing would " improve the databases used to model vehicle survivability " as opposed to full tests with random shots that would provide a far more accurate picture of its performance under real battlefield conditions , but produce less useful statistical data . In addition , Burton insisted upon a series of " overmatch " tests in which weapons would be fired at the Bradley that were known to be able to easily penetrate its armor , including Russian ordnance . Burton saw attempts to avoid such tests as dishonest , while the BRL saw them as wasteful , as they already knew the vehicle would fail . The disagreements became so contentious that Congressional inquiry resulted . As a result of the tests , additional improvements to vehicle survivability were added . Since entering service with the U . S . Army in 1981 , a total of 6 , 724 Bradleys ( 4 , 641 M2s and 2 , 083 M3s ) have been produced . The total cost of the program is $ 5 , 664 , 100 , 000 , and the average unit costs $ 3 , 166 , 000 . Combat history . During the Gulf War , M2 Bradleys destroyed more Iraqi armored vehicles than the M1 Abrams . Twenty Bradleys were lost — three by enemy fire and 17 due to friendly fire incidents ; another 12 were damaged . The gunner of one Bradley was killed when his vehicle was hit by Iraqi fire , possibly from an Iraqi BMP - 1 , during the Battle of 73 Easting . To remedy some problems that were identified as contributing factors in the friendly fire incidents , infrared identification panels and other marking / identification measures were added to the Bradleys . In the Iraq War , the Bradley proved somewhat vulnerable to improvised explosive device ( IED ) and rocket propelled grenade ( RPG ) attacks , but casualties were light — the doctrine being to allow the crew to escape at the expense of the vehicle . As of early 2006 , total combat losses included 55 Bradleys . By 2007 , the Army had stopped using the M2 Bradley in combat , instead favoring more survivable MRAP s . Replacement . The U . S Army ' s intends the developmental GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle to replace the Bradley . The previous attempt to replace it , the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles program was canceled in 2009 . Variants . M2 Bradley . The " M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle " ( IFV ) consists of four variants : the M2 , M2A1 , M2A2 and M2A3 . Their main mission is to provide protected transport of an infantry squad ( up to six passengers at a time ) to critical points . Aside from carrying mechanized infantry into close contact with the enemy , the M2 can also provide overwatching fire to dismounting infantrymen . The M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle also has six external firing ports for the squad M231 Firing Port Weapon on the M2 and M2A1 versions only . Four ports were removed on the sides of the vehicle on the M2A2 - A3 versions , and only 2 in the ramp remain . These ports allow passengers to engage the enemy from within the protection of the Bradley vehicle . These firing ports are almost always covered by additional armor kits and it is rare to see a Bradley with them operable . The proper use of M231 FPWs was rare in practice . It is adequately armored to provide protection against small arms fire and artillery , as well as being able to destroy any vehicle on the battlefield using its TOW or Stinger missile s . M3 Bradley . The " M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle " ( CFV ) is virtually identical to the M2 Bradley except that it is equipped as a cavalry / scout vehicle . Instead of holding six infantrymen in the payload compartment , it is designed to seat two scouts and hold additional radios and ammunition . Also lacking are the six external firing ports present on the M2 Bradley IFV . M4 Command and Control Vehicle ( C2V ) . The C2V is based on the M993 MLRS carrier chassis ( see below ) and is designed to provide an automated tactical command post and operations centers . It was designed to replace the M113 - based M577A2 Command Post Carrier . Mass production was cancelled in late 1999 . Around 25 vehicles were finally produced for the US Army . Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle ( BSFV ) . The BSFV is designed specifically for the carriage and support of a Stinger MANPADS team . The MANPADS - Under - Armor ( MUA ) dismounted Stinger team concept of the BSFV left the operators exposed , so it was replaced by the M6 Linebacker , which also retained the dismounted Stinger missile capability . Warhammer Bradley . Modified M2A2 ODSs with the TOW missile system replaced with a two - tube Javelin Missile System , and ISU ( Integrated Sight Unit ) modifications for increased anti - tank lethality , without the need to continually track the target . M6 Linebacker . An air defense variant , these vehicles are modified M2A2 ODSs with the TOW missile system replaced with a four - tube Stinger missile system . From 2005 - 2006 , M6 Linebackers had their Stinger missile systems removed and were converted to standard M2 Bradley ODS infantry fighting vehicles . M7 Bradley Fire Support Vehicle . The B - FiST has replaced the existing armored FiST vehicle ( FiST - V ) platform , the M981 FISTV , in the U . S . Army inventory . The TOW / UA suite is replaced by target location equipment , integrated with the Bradley ISU sight unit . It also carries equipment for use by dismounted observers . There is a hybrid GPS / inertial / dead reckoning navigation system to robustly provide the vehicle location as a reference point . Bradley Engineer Squad Vehicle . The Bradley ESV enables engineer assests to maintain momentum with the main force while conducting engineer and sapper operations . The ESV is equipped with standard combat engineering equipment and can employ unique mission equipment packages for obstacle neutralization . Bradley Battle Command Vehicle . The Bradley BCV allows brigade commanders to move around the battlefield away from their command post . The BCV integrates an enhanced command and control communication suite to maintain digital interface with maneuver forces and the Tactical Operations Center ( TOC ) . M993 / M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System Carrier Vehicle . The M270 MLRS is composed of two major sections : a M269 Launcher Loader Module mated to a M993 carrier vehicle . The M993 carrier vehicle portion is a modified BFV chassis . Black Knight . The Black Knight prototype unmanned ground combat vehicle being developed by BAE resembles a tank and makes extensive use of components from the Bradley Combat Systems program to reduce costs and simplify maintenance . It is also designed to be remotely operated from a BFV commander ' s station while riding mounted , as well as being controllable by dismounted infantry . Turretless Bradley . For the U . S . Army ' s Armored Multi - Purpose Vehicle ( AMPV ) program to replace the M113 , BAE is offering a new version of the Bradley . The AMPV submission is a turretless Bradley chassis , which gives greater cargo space , as well as increased armor and upgraded engine and electrical power systems . For increased protection , a v - shaped bottom will replace the flat bottom . The AMPV version will also have different roof sections with varying heights to make it modular for each role . The engine and transmission are the same as other Bradleys . For better fuel efficiency , BAE is considering giving the Turretless Bradley a hybrid - electric drive , similar to the one used in their GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle . It is suggested that the vast fleet of surplus Bradleys could be retrofitted into this version . The Turretless Bradley is competing against General Dynamics ' Tracked Stryker for the contract . BAE says they have the capability to build up to eight AMPV platforms per day , the same as the Bradley during the height of its production , as both vehicles share the same production line and supply base . A mortar carrier vehicle can be converted from the original Bradley in 40 days .