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Military

APPENDIX B

BRADLEY PLATOON REFERENCE GUIDE

To succeed in combat, infantrymen must know their equipment and be experts in employing their organic and supporting weapons.

B-1. CHARACTERISTICS

A detailed list of characteristics for each model of the Bradley is in Table B-1.

B-2. CREW AND TROOP COMPARTMENTS

The BFV carries nine soldiers. The BC and the gunner ride in the turret. The driver occupies the left front station. The fire team rides in the rear (troop compartment). The soldiers can view a portion of the battlefield through the vision blocks. The BC and the gunner can operate all the turret weapons. Soldiers can mount or dismount the vehicle through six points: commander's hatch, gunner's hatch, driver's hatch, cargo hatch, ramp access door, and ramp (Figure B-1).

B-3. MOBILITY

The BFV has excellent acceleration, agility, and cross-country speed of 48 kilometers per hour, with a cruising range of 483 kilometers. The BFV's mobility provides an ability to move quickly on the battlefield and work in concert with the M1 main battle tank.

B-4. ARMOR PROTECTION

Through the use of special armorplate materials, surface slope, and a unique laminate armor system, the BFV has excellent armor protection for its weight. Even though the BFV's armor does not compare to that of a tank, the BFV can withstand 14.5-mm projectiles on all sides; the M2A2 Bradley can withstand projectiles up to 30-mm.

B-5. ORGANIC WEAPONS

The Bradley platoon has mounted and dismounted organic weapons.

a. Mounted Weapons. The vehicle's main armament is a 25-mm fully automatic, externally powered gun. The BFV's armament also includes a two-tube antitank missile launcher (TOW), a 7.62-mm coaxially mounted machine gun, and 5.56-mm firing port weapons. The all-electric, fully stabilized turret permits accurate fire even when the vehicle is moving over rough terrain. The turret can also be operated manually (see TM 9-2350-252-10-2 and TM 9-2350-284-10-2).

(1) M242 25-mm gun. The 25-mm gun has three rates of fire--single shot, low rate, and high rate. It accurately delivers both armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds. The 25-mm gun using APDS-T rounds can destroy lightly armored vehicles (BMP, BTR, BRDM). Using HEI-T rounds, it can destroy unarmored vehicles (trucks, jeeps) and suppress enemy troops in the open, in built-up areas, or in dug-in positions.

(a) The 25-mm APDS-T round can penetrate lightly armored vehicles. Flank shots increase the probability of penetration. Maximum effective range/tracer burnout is about 1,700 meters, but effective fire using sabot rounds can be achieved by using burst-on-target techniques if impact of the round can be observed.

(b) The 25-mm APFSDS-T is a fixed-type, percussion primed round. It consists of a sabot encapsulated projectile crimped to a steel cartridge case. Basic operation of this kinetic energy round is the same as APDS-T with an increase in velocity to about 1,420 meters per second. This round has increased penetration capabilities as well as tracer burn time, which allows engagement of targets at longer ranges and with greater potential to defeat a BMP-2.

(c) The HEI-T is excellent for suppressing antitank guided missile crews and crew-served weapons out to 3,000 meters. Tracer burnout is 2,000 meters, but effective fire can be placed on targets at further ranges if impact of the round can be observed. HEI-T has a 5-meter bursting radius that enables this ammunition to be used in both point and area target engagements.

(d) The BFV can carry onboard 900 rounds of 25-mm ammunition; only 300 can be loaded in the 25-mm ammunition cans. Uploading the weapons system for the 25-mm takes about 15 minutes. All leaders and gunners must be aware of the operational impact of using all of the ammunition in the ammunition cans. As ammunition is fired, 15-round belts can be linked and loaded in the two ammunition cans in just minutes. If all ammunition is used, reloading takes 12 minutes because the new ammunition must be fed directly into the gun. This is difficult to do while the vehicle is moving.

DANGER

TO PREVENT FRATRICIDE, APDS-T AMMUNITION IS NEVER FIRED WHILE DISMOUNTED SOLDIERS ARE WITHIN A GUN ARC OF 10 DEGREES AND WITHIN 400 METERS UNLESS OVERHEAD COVER IS AVAILABLE. PIECES OF METAL OR PLASTIC THAT FALL OFF THE ROUND COULD INJURE OR KILL SOLDIERS.

(2) TOW launcher. The TOW missile is an accurate antitank weapon from 65 to 3,750 meters. Two TOW missiles are loaded in the turret-mounted launcher. There is internal space for stowing five missiles, either TOW missiles or Dragons or a mix. The TOW is best fired at the flank or rear of tanks at ranges between 1,500 and 2,500 meters to reduce the flight time of the missile and provide the best attack profile of the vehicle. Frontal shots should be avoided against tanks. Against lightly armored vehicles, the range and the target aspect are not as critical (Table B-2).

DANGER

THE BFV MUST BE LEVEL AND STATIONARY FOR THE TOW TO BE FIRED. BEFORE FIRING THE TOW, THE DRIVER, GUNNER, AND BC MUST CHECK THE SLOPE INDICATORS AT THEIR STATIONS. SOLDIERS COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED, EQUIPMENT COULD BE DAMAGED, AND THE MISSILE COULD BE LOST.

(a) The TOW missile can destroy targets at a minimum range of 65 meters up to a maximum range of 3,750 meters.

  • I-TOW, an improved TOW missile (BGM-71C), has a 5-inch warhead that includes an extended probe to provide detonation at a greater standoff distance from the target, which increases penetration.
  • TOW 2 (BGM-71D) has a 6-inch full-caliber warhead that also includes an extensible probe to enhance penetration, including applique armor.
  • TOW 2A (BGM-71E) has all the capabilities of the TOW 2 missile; however, it contains an explosive charge in the tip of the probe to defeat reactive armor to allow main warhead penetration.
  • TOW 2B (BGM-71F) provides a flyover shoot-down (top attack) capability that attacks the most vulnerable part of an armored vehicle.
  • The basic TOW, practice (BTM-71A), has an inert warhead and is the standard training round.

(b) The improvement of Threat vehicle armor protection has resulted in improved TOW missiles. Table B-3 recommends the best TOW missile to use against various type targets. In all cases, flank shots increase the probability of a single shot kill and minimize detection or engagement from the Threat armor.

(c) The perception of standoff to mean "engage armor vehicles beyond 2,000 meters to maximum range (3,750 meters)" is not always tactically feasible for the following reasons:

  • Tracking time beyond 2,000 meters increases the likelihood of gunner error and provides the enemy additional reaction time to maneuver against the position.
  • The probabilities of hit at extended ranges are significantly lower, especially through thermal sights and obscuration.
  • Ranges beyond 2,000 meters decrease the probability of flank shot hits due to extended tracking time, increased speed capability of modern vehicles, and terrain restrictions.

(3) M240C 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun. The 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun is an accurate and reliable weapon. The main use of this weapon is against dismounted forces. It can also be used to suppress crew-served weapons and engage unarmored vehicles and aircraft out to 900 meters (tracer burnout). The BFV can carry 2,200 rounds of 7.62-mm coax ammunition--1,400 stowed and 800 ready.

DANGER

BEFORE FIRING THE FPWs, THE BFV CREW SHOULD ENSURE SERVICEABILITY AND OPERATION OF EXHAUST HOSE AND FANS TO REMOVE POISONOUS GASES FROM THE TROOP COMPARTMENT.

(4) M231 5.56-mm firing port weapons. The basic BFV and M2A1 have six M231 5.56-mm FPWs--two on each side, two in the ramp. (Figure B-2.) The M2A2 has only the two ramp FPWs. These weapons provide close-in protection and suppression out to 300 meters. The M2A1 carries 4,200 rounds of ammunition for the FPWs; the M2A2 carries 2,520 rounds.

b. Dismounted Weapons. The weapons for the two squads are two Dragons, six M249 machine guns, six grenade launchers, six rifles (one M24 sniper weapon can be provided by the company), one AT4, grenades, and mines. The vehicle has stowage space for 2,520 rounds of 5.56-mm ammunition for the rifles and machine guns. This figure does not include the ammunition the soldiers may carry in the LBE. All leaders must know how to employ these weapons effectively (Table B-4).

B-6. COMMUNICATIONS

The BFV's communication system provides for control of mounted and dismounted operations. Tables B-5 and B-6 and Figures B-3 through B-5, depict the arrangement of communication equipment and the radio net configuration within the platoon. As units update their communication system, they will have the single-channel ground/airborne radio system (SINCGARS) as shown in Table B-6.

B-7. PLATOON EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

The AN/TRS-2 platoon early warning system (PEWS) is a remote sensor system (REMS). The PEWS is organic to mechanized infantry rifle platoons. The system has 10 ground-implanted sensors. They transmit a signal (by radio or wire) to a receiving set that indicates movement in the area and which sensor is reporting. PEWS also differentiates between foot and vehicular movement. This device is ideal for monitoring avenues of approach masked by terrain or poor visibility. They should be employed along avenues of approach and in dead spaces or gaps forward of or between units. Each sensor can detect targets up to 15 meters from the sensor location. Its signals can be transmitted up to 1,500 meters.

B-8. WATER-CROSSING CAPABILITY

The BFV can ford up to 3.5 feet of water. With its water barrier erected, the BFV can swim water obstacles with currents up to 6.4 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum speed of 7.25 kilometers per hour while swimming. Erection of the swim barrier takes about 15 minutes for the M2A1 BFV and about 25 minutes for the M2A2. The BFV requires an exit bank slope not greater than 17 percent and can fire both its 25-mm and 7.62-mm systems while swimming, though care must be taken not to hit the trim vane or water barrier (cannot fire below +7 degrees). The 25-mm can be fired in any direction while swimming; however, the turret should not be traversed because it may upset the balance of the vehicle. (See Chapter 6 for more information.)

B-9. SMOKE CAPABILITY

The BFV has onboard smoke capability. It has an onboard smoke generator and two smoke grenade launchers (four tubes each). The smoke grenade launchers are fired at the same time, and they produce a dense cloud of smoke around the vehicle. The launchers are loaded from the outside. Both the onboard smoke generator and smoke grenade launcher can be used for obscuring air- or ground-launched guided missiles. The onboard smoke generator is not effective if the fuel is JP8, and the temperature is higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

B-10. LIMITED VISIBILITY CAPABILITY

Using the integrated sight unit in the thermal mode, the BC and gunner can detect and engage targets during any visibility condition, day or night. The daysight has normal optics. The nightsight uses thermal imagery that enables the gunner to see through most limited visibility conditions. This includes darkness, light, smoke, light foliage, camouflage, light fog, snow, and mist. Thermal sights should remain on during combat operations. They should be turned off periodically to prevent them from burning out.

a. The driver has excellent viewing capability using the AN/VVS-2 driver's night viewer. This viewer is an image intensification device that allows the driver to see clearly to his front. Therefore, the driver can handle his vehicle well on the roughest terrain. Also, during darkness, he can use the viewer to assist the BC and gunner in sensing rounds fired to the front. It is, however, prone to whiteout (fadeout) if light is shined directly at it (for example, spotlights, oncoming headlights, flashlights, sunlight). When installed, it obscures the speedometer/odometer. It can be battery powered (6 hours) or run directly off the vehicle power.

b. The BC can monitor the vehicle's night movement by wearing the AN/PVS-7 night vision goggles.

c. The gunner can assist and observe using the thermal sight while scanning the sector.

d. The platoon has several types of night vision devices available for dismount infantry operations. (Table B-7.)

NOTE: The Bradley commander normally navigates from the open hatch position, because the AN/VVS-2 is too narrow to navigate effectively.

B-11. SUPPORTING WEAPONS

Supporting weapons provide the platoon and squad leaders additional firepower. Leaders must know how to effectively integrate the fires of these weapons with the fires of their organic weapons. (Tables B-8, B-9, and B-10.)



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