| M3A3: General | |||
| Manufacturer | United Defense, L.P. | Crew |
|
| M3A3: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 65,900lbs 29,900kg |
Height | 133" 338cm |
| Length | 258" 655cm |
Gun overhang forward | 0" |
| Width | 129" 328cm |
Tread | 96" 240cm |
| Ground clearance | 18" 46cm |
Turret ring diameter | 60" 150cm |
| M3A3: Armament | |||||
| Type | Mount | Traverse | Max traverse rate | Elevation | Max elevation rate |
| 25mm Chain Gun M242 Bushmaster | Turret | 360° (manual and electric) |
60°/sec | +57° to -9° (manual and electric) |
60°/sec |
| 7.62mm M240C MG | Coaxial to 25mm gun | 360° (manual and electric) |
60°/sec | +57° to -9° (manual and electric) |
60°/sec |
| Aiming equipment | |||||
| Integrated sight unit and backup sight for gunner and commander; CIV for commander | |||||
| Rangefinder | |||||
| Laser | |||||
| Stabilizer | |||||
| Azimuth and elevation | |||||
| Night vision | |||||
| Thermal | |||||
| M3A3: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Hull | ||
| Steel and 5083 aluminum armor | ||
| Turret | ||
| Steel, 5083 aluminum, and 7039 aluminum armor |
| M3A3: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | Cummins VTA-903T; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, vee, turbosupercharged diesel | ||||
| Horsepower | Gross: 600@2,600 rpm | Torque | Gross: 1,225 ft-lb@2,350rpm | Fuel capacity | 175gal 662L |
| Transmission | General Electric HMPT-500-3 or HMPT-500-3EC hydromechanical, automatic range selection | ||||
| Steering | Hydrostatic, steering yoke | ||||
| Brakes | Multiple plate, oil cooled | ||||
| M3A3: Suspension | ||
| Type | Road wheels | Track return rollers |
| Torsion bar | 6 individually sprung dual/track | 1 dual/track, 2 single/track |
| Drive sprockets | Idlers | Shock absorbers | 11-tooth front drive | Dual adjustable at rear of track | On first 3 and last road wheels/track |
| M3A3: Track | |||||||
| Center guide, single pin, steel with detachable rubber pad | |||||||
| Width | 21" 53cm |
Pitch | 6" 15cm |
Shoes/track | Left side: 84 Right side: 82 |
Ground contact length | 154" 391cm |
| M3A3: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 40mph 65kph |
Min turning diameter | Pivot |
| Cruising range | ~250mi, roads ~400km, roads |
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Introduced in 2000, the M7 Bradley Fire Support Team (BFIST) vehicle was based on the M2A2ODS Bradley and was intended to replace the slower M113-based FIST-V M981. The twin TOW missile launcher was replaced by a housing containing a laser rangefinder and sights for the artillery fire support team, and the passenger compartment had a communication station installed within. Additional hardware included an inertial navigation system, precision lightweight global positioning system, and the battlefield combat identification system. In contrast to the M981, the M7 allows the team to perform targeting functions while the vehicle is moving.
Beginning fielding tests in 2001, the M3A3 BFIST utilized the hull of the M3A3 Bradley. Changes from the M7 dictated by the newer hull included moving the M7's inertial navigation unit into the turret from its spot in the hull. Originally planned to be called the M7A1 BFIST, the M3A3 BFIST proved to have greater accuracy than even the M7.
