US Army Unveils New Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicle Variant
The US Army has revealed a new variant of the Bradley tracked armored fighting vehicle in Saco, Maine.
The M2A4E1 is touted as the vehicle’s “most modern and survivable version.” It is integrated with an Iron Fist active protection system to detect and intercept incoming missiles and rockets using radar and infrared trackers and explosive projectiles.
The newest Bradley is also equipped with an improved High-Definition Forward-Looking Infrared Gunner’s Sight and an Environmental Control Unit to prevent heat stress.
A statement from the army’s Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems said that the force has already received funding to procure one M2A4E1 unit for every Bradley donated to Ukraine.
The Battle-Tested Bradley
Created to transport infantry units while offering armor protection, Bradley vehicles are fitted with laminate and explosive reactive armor that can withstand rocket-propelled grenades.
They are equipped with a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster autocannon, BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles, and a 7.62 mm M240C gas-operated machine gun.
The platform has seen plenty of use in Kyiv as the Armed Forces of Ukraine deploys its Bradleys to counter Russian troops.
Since last year, the US has donated 186 Bradleys as part of its military aid to Kyiv, estimated to cost $2 million apiece.
