Analysis: Discover firepower of US Bradley M2A2 IFV donated to Ukraine able to fight Russian tanks.

The United States Department of Defense announced on January 6, 2023, a new $3.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine including for the first time 50 Bradley M2A2, tracked combat armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicles equipped with weapons able to destroy Russian main battle tanks.
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United States army Bradley M2A2 tracked armored infantry fighting vehicle. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The United States Department of Defense announced on January 6, 2023, a new $3.8 billion military aid package for Ukraine including for the first time 50 Bradley M2A2, tracked combat armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicles equipped with weapons able to destroy Russian main battle tanks.

The U.S. presidential drawdown authority announced today is the largest the United States has committed to so far. The authorization of presidential drawdown of equipment from U.S. inventories is valued at up to $2.85 billion and there is an additional $225 million in foreign military financing to contribute to the long-term capacity and modernization of Ukraine's military, Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, said.

With this new announcement, the United States increases its military aid to Ukraine with for the first time the supply of f 50 M2A2 Bradley tracked armored IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) for the Ukrainian army.

On January 4, 2023, France announced the delivery to Ukraine of anti-tank armored vehicles AMX-10RC armed with a 105mm and now Germany and the United States took the decision to deliver tracked armored vehicle IFVs armed with weapons able to destroy Russian tanks.

Indeed, Russia is the country in the world that has the largest quantity of combat tanks, and more than 1,000 tanks would be deployed in Ukraine, including the latest generation of tanks such as the T-72B3, and the T-90M. It is therefore very important that the Ukrainian forces can have combat vehicles capable to fight these Russian tanks.

The original Bradley m2 was improved, in 1986 to the M2A1 variant with the TOW II anti-tank guided missile, the gas particulate filter unit, etc. The next version was the 1988 M2A2 which went to battle during the Gulf War, in Operation Desert Storm (ODS). Most equipment and performance deficiencies identified or confirmed during Desert Storm were subsequently remedied in the improved A2, the M2 A2 ODS variant, more commonly referred to as the ODS.

The Bradley M2A2 incorporates improvements identified after Operation Desert Storm, including an eye-safe laser rangefinder, global positioning and navigation systems, and an enhanced driver’s vision device.

The Bradley M2A2 is equipped with a two-man turret and can accommodate up to six infantrymen. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Bradley M2A2 is equipped with a two-man turret armed with the Bushmaster 25mm cannon and two launchers able to fire TOW 2 anti-tank guided missile system, which delivers increased lethality and accuracy, especially under the toughest battlefield conditions. The Bushmaster 25mm cannon fires both explosive and armor-piercing rounds, while TOW anti-tank guided missiles defeat armored vehicles and main battle tanks. The 7.62mm coaxial machine gun provides high-volume fires at close ranges.

The 25mm Bushmaster is a single-barrel chaingun with a double belt feed. It fires the 25x137mm NATO round. The rate of fire is selectable at 100 or 200 rpm. The cannon has an effective firing range of about 2 km while the slant range for high explosive rounds is 3 km. With depleted uranium APDS (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot) rounds, the Bushmaster cannon was even used successfully against the Russian tank T-55.

The TOW 2 is a tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided heavy anti-tank missile weapon system. It was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which constituted the first operational firing of the TOW 2B missile. For penetration of tanks protected with explosive reactive armor (ERA), TOW 2 is equipped with a tandem warhead. A small disrupter charge detonates the reactive armor and allows the main-shaped charge to penetrate the main armor. The latest generation of TWO 2 missiles has a firing range of up to 4.5 km.

The Bradley M2A2 has a crew of three including a driver, commander and gunner, and can accommodate up to six infantrymen at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle survivability was enhanced by restowing ammunition, internal armor protection of key components, spall liners and mounting provisions for improved vehicle smoke screening, and additional armor protection including additional armor for the hull and turret.

The Bradley M2A2 is powered by a Cummins VTA-903 engine developing 600 hp compared with the 500 hp of the original production vehicle. The General Dynamics Land Systems HMPT-500 transmission has been upgraded and the intake air cleaner expanded to accommodate the additional airflow requirements of the more powerful engine. The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 61 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 400 km.

The Bradley M2A2 is armed with one 25mm automatic cannon, one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and two launchers able to fire TOW 2 anti-tank guided missiles. (Picture source Army Recognition)