I'm neither a Bradley lover nor hater, because I think it has good and bad points, but I'm getting the feeling we could have solved two problems at once by simply signing a treaty with the Soviets/Russians from sometime after 1989 to make licensed and product-improved Americanized BMPs, and saved metric buttloads of time and cash.
The turret of the Bradley was from the beginning ready for bigger caliber cannons. The vehicle was destined to accept cannons up to 40mm. With today’s technology’s the existing turret can accommodate 50mm cannons like the Bushmaster III.
The problem with the existing turret is that it is manned. The basket that accommodates the operators of the turret, takes valuable space.
Resent wars proved that 6-7 man squad is adequate. So the Army is looking to increase the squad number to 9. The existing turret can be turned to unmanned. The technology demonstrator proved that. The US army leadership wants to install an unmanned turret to the Stryker Fleet also. So the want a common turret for both vehicles. I don't know if the unmanned version of the M2A3 can be mounted on the Stryker. Weigh problems perhaps. But from the other side, you only pay for the modification of the turret, the installation and the new gun. The IBAS and CIV remain the same and you make good use for the spare turrets you get from the AMPV program or from excess Bradleys.
Why when 40mm seems to be the future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8NE9JRoSQw
ReplyDeleteI'm neither a Bradley lover nor hater, because I think it has good and bad points, but I'm getting the feeling we could have solved two problems at once by simply signing a treaty with the Soviets/Russians from sometime after 1989 to make licensed and product-improved Americanized BMPs, and saved metric buttloads of time and cash.
ReplyDeleteM2A3 Bradley with MK44 30/40mm cannon
ReplyDeletehttp://i60.tinypic.com/e9vmn5.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/30acf46.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/2rx8zfm.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf0N--VXpvk
M2A2 Bradley with Bushmaster III
http://i43.tinypic.com/vfjcl4.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a_54_bGwsk
The turret of the Bradley was from the beginning ready for bigger caliber cannons. The vehicle was destined to accept cannons up to 40mm. With today’s technology’s the existing turret can accommodate 50mm cannons like the Bushmaster III.
The problem with the existing turret is that it is manned. The basket that accommodates the operators of the turret, takes valuable space.
Resent wars proved that 6-7 man squad is adequate. So the Army is looking to increase the squad number to 9. The existing turret can be turned to unmanned. The technology demonstrator proved that. The US army leadership wants to install an unmanned turret to the Stryker Fleet also. So the want a common turret for both vehicles. I don't know if the unmanned version of the M2A3 can be mounted on the Stryker. Weigh problems perhaps. But from the other side, you only pay for the modification of the turret, the installation and the new gun. The IBAS and CIV remain the same and you make good use for the spare turrets you get from the AMPV program or from excess Bradleys.