Description

The M2A2 Bradley, is one of the upgrades of the M2 Bradley IFV series. The A2 upgrade most notable feature was a new engine and improved armor with the ability to mount explosive reactive armor (ERA). The ODS improvements were based on the lessons learned during the first Gulf War ( in fact, ODS stands for Operation Desert Storm ). Featuring a laser rangefinder, tactical.

The M2A2 upgrade most notable feature was a new engine the VTA-903T diesel engine, capable to generate 600HP, and coupled with HMPT-500-3 hydromechanical transmission, this powerpack is also multifuel able to use both diesel, marine diesel, gasoline and jet fuel.

Survivability improvements include both improved armor which is a aluminum and steel composite, where base hull and turret is made from armor aluminum alloy to which bolted are high hardness steel armor plates with the ability to mount ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor), the aluminum steel composite provides full protection against 30mm APDS ammo, and limited protection against 30mm APFSDS ammo. The ERA kit htat is used is designed in similar way as M19 ARAT-1 ERA provided for M1A1 and M1A2 tanks, that provides good protection against single shaped charge warheads, and some degree of protection against tandem shaped charge warheads. There are several variants of ERA modules depending on BUSK version.

The M2A2ODS (Operation Desert Storm) improvements were based on the lessons learned during the first Gulf War. Featuring an eye safe laser rangefinder, tactical battle management system FBCB2/BFT, GPS receiver, driver received ability to use a thermal observation device, MRE heater was added while internal storage and dismounts seats were redesigned.

The BUSK (Bradley Urban Survival Kit) is the name it receives an upgrade similar to the M1A1 and M1A2 TUSK (Tank Urban Survivability Kit) kit to decrease the vehicle's vulnerability in urban environments. The M2 can hold a crew of three: a commander, a gunner and a driver; as well as six fully equipped soldiers however there is also seventh seat behind the driver, however access to it is limited by large turret basket chimney, thus in most cases it’s not used. The main armament of M2A2 is 25mm M242 automatic cannon, which is able to fire various ammunition types, these ammunition types are:

• APFSDS (Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) M919.
• APDS (Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot) M791.
• HEI (High Explosive Incendiary) M792.
• Total ammunition storage for the main armament is 900 rounds.

Secondary armament is coaxial M240 7,62mm machine gun, with 800 ready 7,62x51mm rounds and 1400 stored. For anti tank defense and to engage better protected targets, M2A2 is also armed with BGM-71 TOW missile system, with a maximum range of 3750m, currently used TOW ATGM types are BGM-71D TOW-2, BGM-71E TOW-2A and BGM-71F TOW-B for anti armor roles, and BGM-71H TOW-BB for “bunker buster” role. There are always 2 ATGM’s ready in launcher with 5 more stored inside vehicle.

Additional advantage of M2A2 is that it’s turret and main armament is fully stabilized and have FCS as well as modern thermal sights.

Features

• Animated ramp.

Fire Control System

The FCS includes a rangefinder that displays the distance to the target in the crosshair. The key N switch to night vision (first image) and thermal vision (second image), in positive and negative modes. Zoom can be activated with + and deactivate with -. There's also a scale below the cross-hair to measure distances comparing to a human height.

Optics

The gunner primary sight use both day and thermal channel with two zoom levels.

• Day channel – 3x and 12x zoom.
• Thermal channel – 3x, 12x zoom.
• Commander at the moment uses panoramic sight with only day channel.
• Day channel – 3x zoom.

*Note, at the moment M2A2’s sights and FCS is not fully and properly modeled, current status should be considered as Work in Progress.