The U.S. Army has released photos of the newest and most advanced version of its Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, a piece of combat-proven armor that Ukraine is using against Russia.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Army’s Ground Combat Systems Program Executive Office released images of the new next-generation M2A4E1 Bradley variant revealed in Maine last week, calling it “the most modern and advanced version resistant” of the armored vehicle.
The new Bradley IFV, the office explained in a social media post, is the result of “the integration of an Iron Fist active protection system, an improved high-definition infrared sight and a control unit environmental protection to avoid thermal stress during dismantling.
The Iron Fist APS is an important defensive upgrade for the Bradley, and one that the Army has long studied for its vehicles. Manufactured by Israeli company Elbit Systems, the Iron Fist provides effective protection against anti-armor weapons such as rockets or missiles by firing an interceptor munition to engage the incoming threat from a distance.
The new M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. US Army photo
Iron Fist “increases the survivability” of armored vehicles against anti-tank threats and is effective against “all types of anti-armor threats,” according to a fact sheet published by Elbit. Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, who leads PEOGCS, told Breaking Defense in late March that the military had finally signed a deal to acquire the Iron Fist after previously suggesting it could not afford the highly advanced systems .
“The Army received funding to purchase the M2A4E1 for every Bradley donated to Ukraine,” PEOGCS said this week. It is not yet clear how much money this will represent.
According to the latest Pentagon data, the United States has sent more than 200 M2A2 Bradleys to Ukraine as part of the more than $50 billion in security assistance that Washington has committed to Kiev since the start of the Russia’s full-scale war in February 2022. This aid also includes other American-made armored systems, such as Strykers vehicles and Abrams tanks.
The Bradleys first arrived on the battlefield in Ukraine almost exactly a year ago, giving Kiev a significant armor boost ahead of its much-anticipated – if ultimately lackluster – summer counter-offensive.
An M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle drives during a live fire exercise at Fort Cavazos, Texas. SPC. David Dumas/US Army
Ukrainian soldiers have since praised the Bradley for its survivability and combat firepower, praising it for being a powerful improvement over similar Soviet systems.
The vehicles have been filmed raking Russian troop positions and destroying advanced tanks, but they are not untouchable as many have fallen victim to Russian artillery and defensive measures, including mines .
The Bradley, initially built in response to Soviet infantry fighting vehicles, entered service in the 1980s and was deployed in the Gulf War the following decade before being sent to Iraq in the 2000s. They are highly maneuverable and can transport up to six fully equipped soldiers to and from the battlefield.
Bradleys are armed with tube-launched, optically tracked, and wire-guided missiles (the United States has sent Ukraine more than 9,000 TOW missiles), which can hit enemy armor; an M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun; and a 7.62mm M240C machine gun. It has an operational range of approximately 300 miles and can travel at speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour.
businessinsider
