PA can convert old tanks into something like Bradley fighting Vehicle.
Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment load into the rear of an M2 Bradley in Iraq.
M2 BradleyEdit
The M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) consists of five variants: the M2, M2A1, M2A2, M2A2 ODS (Operation Desert Storm improvements), and M2A3. Their main mission is to provide protected transport of an
infantry squad (up to six passengers) to critical points. Aside from carrying
mechanized infantry into close contact with the enemy, the M2 can also provide overwatching fire to dismounting infantrymen. It is adequately armored to provide protection against
small arms fire and artillery, and able to combat any vehicle on the battlefield using its TOW or
Stinger missiles.
[37] The M2 IFV 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 two 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 a Bradley with them operable is rare. The proper use of M231 FPWs was rare in practice.
The M2 Bradley unit cost is $1.11 million (FY 1993 constant dollars)
[38] US$1.84M in 2016 (inflation adjusted).
M3 BradleyEdit
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.
[37]
M4 Command and Control Vehicle (C2V)Edit
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.
[39] Mass production was cancelled in late 1999. Around 25 vehicles were finally produced for the US Army.
[40]
Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle (BSFV)Edit
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.
[41]
Warhammer BradleyEdit
Modified M2A2 ODSs with the TOW missile system replaced with a two-tube
Javelin Missile System, and Integrated Sight Unit modifications for increased antitank lethality, without the need to continually track the target.
[42]
M6 LinebackerEdit
M6 Linebacker along the highway near Balad, Iraq, October 2005
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 to 2006, M6 Linebackers had their Stinger missile systems removed and were converted to standard M2 Bradley ODS IFVs.
[43] By 2017, the US Army was exploring reintroducing air defense Bradleys with the reemergence of hostile aerial threats.
[44] In October 2017, BAE displayed an updated version of the Bradley Linebacker called the M-SHORAD (Mobile Short-Range Air Defense) equipped with the pMHR search radar mounted around the turret, a fire-control radar, a jammer on top of the turret to non-kinetically defeat
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the main gun replaced with an
XM914 30 mm autocannon with
airburst rounds, and a missile launcher that could accommodate various missiles including the Stinger,
AIM-9X Sidewinder, or others.
[45][46][47] The US Army chose to create an M-SHORAD vehicle out of the
Stryker instead of the Bradley; although the tracked Bradley has better mobility on soft ground, the wheeled Stryker has sufficient mobility to perform tactical air defense while also having greater weight, space, and electrical power capacity to make upgrades.
[48]
M7 Bradley Fire Support VehicleEdit
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. A hybrid
GPS/
inertial/
dead reckoning navigation system robustly provides the vehicle location as a reference point.
Bradley Engineer Squad VehicleEdit
The Bradley ESV enables engineer assets 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.
[49]
Bradley Battle Command VehicleEdit
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.
[49]
M993/M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System Carrier VehicleEdit
The M270 MLRS is composed of two major sections, a M269 Launcher Loader Module mated to a M993 carrier vehicle.
[50] The M993 carrier vehicle portion is a modified BFV chassis.
[51]
Black KnightEdit
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.
[52][53]
Armored Multi-Purpose VehicleEdit
For the U.S. Army's
Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle(AMPV) program to replace the M113, BAE offered a variant of the Bradley. The AMPV submission is a turretless Bradley chassis, providing greater cargo space, increased armor, and upgraded engine and electrical systems. For increased protection, a
V-shaped bottom replaces the flat base. The AMPV also has several modular roof sections to adapt to each role. For fuel efficiency, BAE is considered using a
hybrid-electric drive, similar to their
GCV IFV. It was suggested that surplus Bradleys could be retrofitted into this version.
[54][55]
BAE said 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.
[56]A mortar carrier vehicle can be converted from the original Bradley in 40 days.
[57] Underbody blast tests demonstrated that AMPV survivability requirements could be met with a Bradley platform.
[58] BAE projected their AMPV submission to have similar operating costs to the M113 and lower costs than an M2 Bradley, as the platform's most expensive components are related to the omitted turret.
[59] To better accommodate modern electronics, the turretless Bradley has 78% more internal space than the M113, and two 400-amp generators.
[60]
BAE Systems rolled out the first AMPV prototype on 15 December 2016. Currently, 160 vehicles are budgeted to be produced per year, which is enough to field one and a half brigades.
[61]