BAE Systems to produce more Bradley M2A4 IFVs and M2A7 Fire Support Vehicles for US Army.

The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems Land and Armaments a $121.4 million contract to produce M2A4 and M7A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. This contract modification will enable the procurement of additional armored vehicles, which are to be produced from legacy variants currently in the Army's inventory. The work will be carried out by BAE Systems at various locations, with the specific sites determined with each order.
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U.S. soldiers assigned to the "Hound Battalion," 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, received the newly modernized M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles at Fort Stewart in February 2022. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The production is expected to be completed by May 31, 2026, and will be managed by the Army Contracting Command based at Detroit Arsenal in Michigan. The award follows a contract modification granted to BAE Systems in 2023, valued at $128.7 million for producing these advanced armored vehicles.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) family, including the M2A4 and M7A4, is critical in providing mobility, protection, and firepower for U.S. ground forces. The M2A4 is an upgraded version of the original M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), which has been in service since the early 1980s. The M2A4 variant features significant improvements in powertrain and suspension, allowing the vehicle to carry heavier armor and accommodate advanced technological systems without sacrificing mobility.

The Bradley M2A4 is an upgraded version of the M2 Bradly Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) with improvements in powertrain and suspension to handle increased armor and advanced technologies. It features enhanced armor for greater protection, improved survivability, and upgraded electronics for better communication, situational awareness, and targeting capabilities. These upgrades ensure the M2A4 remains effective in modern combat scenarios while maintaining the original role of transporting infantry and providing firepower.

Upgrades in the M2A4 version focus on improved survivability and situational awareness, including enhanced armor packages and advanced electronics for better communication and targeting capabilities. The M2A4 Bradley is designed to transport infantry troops while providing firepower and protection on the battlefield. It comes equipped with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, TOW anti-tank missiles, and a coaxial M240C machine gun.

The Bradley M7A4 is an upgraded version of the standard M7 Fire Support Team (FIST) vehicle, designed to improve battlefield surveillance and target designation for artillery and air support. This variant includes power, mobility, and advanced electronics enhancements, similar to the M2A4, but with specialized systems for coordinating indirect fire and airstrikes. The M7A4 builds on the standard M7's capabilities by offering better protection, situational awareness, and communication tools, ensuring more effective support for forward observation teams in modern combat scenarios.

BAE Systems has a long history of producing and upgrading Bradley vehicles for the U.S. Army. In 2018, the company was awarded a $347.9 million contract for 473 units of the M2A4 and M7A4 variants, which helped modernize the Army’s armored vehicle fleet. These contracts are part of ongoing efforts to maintain the Bradley as a core asset within the Army's mechanized forces, ensuring it remains capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare.

The Bradley family of vehicles continues to be an essential part of U.S. Army operations, providing protection and firepower in various combat scenarios. With these new contracts, BAE Systems will further enhance the Army’s armored capabilities, ensuring that the vehicles are up to date with current technological and battlefield requirements.

As work progresses on the production of the M2A4 and M7A4 vehicles, the U.S. Army continues to evaluate the role of the Bradley in its future operations. Despite competition from newer platforms such as the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) and the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the Bradley remains a critical component of the Army’s strategy. Its proven combat record and ongoing modernization efforts ensure that it will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

By completing this latest contract by 2026, the U.S. Army will be better equipped to meet future challenges and ensure that its forces remain at the forefront of modern mechanized warfare.