Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Bradley 1

by Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Stuckey, Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Sandel, from 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, patrols northern Iraq in his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Sandel survived 19 roadside bomb and mortar attacks and one car bomb. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.

Mission, Provides protected transport of an infantry squad on the battlefield and overwatching fires to support the dismounted infantry; is employed to suppress and defeat enemy tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, bunkers, dismounted infantry and attack helicoptors; and performs cavalry scout and other essential (Bradley-equipped fire support and Stinger teams) missions in the 21st century. The infantry version (M2) is used most often to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver. The primary tasks performed by the cavalry version (M3) as part of a troop and/or squadron are reconnaissance, security and flank guard missions.

Vehicle features: Two second generation forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors in the Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) and Commander's Independent Sight (CIV) provide "Hunter-Killer target handoff" capability with a ballistic fire control system; embedded diagnostics; integrated combat command and control (IC3) digital communications suite hosting Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below package with digital maps, messages and friend/foe situational awareness; position navigation system with GPS and inertial navigation system; and enhanced squad situational awareness with squad leader display integrated into vehicle digital images and Ic#.