Armor: November 6, 2004

Archives

The U.S. Army has 6,712 M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, but only needs about half that number (assuming 62 M-2s for each of 48 new unit of action brigades.) With the Cold War over, fewer, but more capable, armored vehicles are more useful. The current vehicle, the M-2A2, dates from the early 1990s. The latest version, the M-2A3, is all digital. That means it can be plugged into the armys battlefield Internet. New equipment includes a navigation system, better sensors (that can see at night and through smoke and fog), lots of computers, improved 25mm cannon and a complete refurb for the vehicle. The M-2A3s are built to last until 2030, so the cost (over a million dollars per vehicle), can be justified. But money is tight, and many M-2A2 vehicles were be partially upgraded, just giving the new electronic gear they need to operate with true M-2A3 grade vehicles (as well as M-1 tanks and other troops upgraded to battlefield Internet standards.)

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close