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Cavalry Fighting Vehicle M3 Bradley^1-9

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 M3 was set to be named after General Jacob Devers, but both versions were named after General Bradley due to there being so little difference between them.

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Cavalry Fighting Vehicle M3A1 Bradley^1-9

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 compartment were also deleted.

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Cavalry Fighting Vehicle M3A2 Bradley^{1-2,4-7,10,13}

M3A2 acquired the improved armor protection and other modifications of the M2A2.

After live firing testing, the seating and stowage arrangements 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 1,423 -A2 Bradleys brought up to this standard were referred to as -A2ODS Bradleys.

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Cavalry Fighting Vehicle M3A3 Bradley^{1-2,6-7,11-12}

The M3A3 used 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 (CIV), 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 CIV could rotate 360° and elevate from +60° to -22°. Provision was made to mount a remotely-fired 5.56mm M249 squad automatic weapon (SAW) or M231 firing port weapon to the CIV to give the commander an independent suppressive weapon. This mounting kit was known as commander's light automatic weapon (CLAW) kit. The CIV and integrated sight were both second-generation FLIR systems. The roof was reinforced with titanium armor. M3A3s are being converted from M3A2s.

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References

1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
2. Green, Michael, and James D. Brown. M2/M3 Bradley at War. Minneapolis: Zenith Press, 2007.
3. TM 9-2520-270-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Hydromechanical Crossdrive Transmission HMPT 500 and Transmission Container Assembly (2520-01-105-6449). Washington, DC: Dept. of the Army, 30 Sep 1991.
4. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
5. Foss, Chris. Modern Tanks. Glasgow: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.
6. Hogg, Ian V. The Greenhill Armoured Fighting Vehicles Data Book. London: Greenhill Books, 2000.
7. Federation of American Scientists. "M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)." DOD 101. 5 May 2000. 24 Jun 2001 <http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m2.htm>. DOD 101
8. TM 9-2350-252-10-1 C1 Operator's Manual Fighting Vehicle, Infantry, M2 (2350-01-048-5920) M2A1 (2350-179-1027) and Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry, M3 (2350-01-049-2695) M3A1 (2350-01-179-1028) Hull. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 30 September 1987.
9. TM 9-2350-252-10-2 C6 Operator's Manual Fighting Vehicle, Infantry, M2 (2350-01-048-5920) (EIC: APA) M2A1 (2350-01-179-1027) (EIC: ALE) Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry, M3 (2350-01-049-2695) (EIC: APB) M3A1 (2350-01-179-1028) (EIC: ALF) Turret. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 9 July 1992.
10. TM 9-2350-284-10-1 C1 Operator's Manual High Survivability Fighting Vehicle, Infantry M2A2 (2350-01-248-7619) and Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry M3A2 (2350-01-248-7620) Hull. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 14 December 1989.
11. Net Resources International. "Army Technology - Bradley M2/M3 - Tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicles." Army Technology. 24 Jun 2001 <http://www.army-technology.com/projects/bradley/index.html>.
12. BAE Systems. "Bradley A3." 2015. 28 May 2017 <http://www.baesystems.com/en-us/download-en-us/20151208124729/1434554726732.pdf>.
13. "DIGITAL COMPASS SYSTEM (DCS)." Accessed 9 September 2024 <https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/100.ATSC/860849C4-4EC9-4FBB-B283-CA92606CD06C-1274437693444/bradley/DCS.HTM>.

Last updated 9 Sep 2024.
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