Exceptional M2 Bradley combat vehicle proves its mettle on Ukrainian battlefield
The overthrow of the Russian army's leading tank, the T-90M, by the Bradley is just one of the many victories this US machine can claim. Before this, the combat vehicle had often received commendation from Ukrainians, proving repeatedly that it was a truly versatile machine on the battlefield.
The M2A2 Bradley endured a previous encounter with a T-72 tank, to which it showed little vulnerability. In an earlier attack involving a BM-32 Grad launcher, the vehicle escaped unscathed. The missile triggered a fire in the Bradley, but the fire suppression systems not only protected the crew but also saved the vehicle from burning.
In the most recent footage, the American combat vehicle once again showcases its might; this time by way of its armour. The video shows the Bradley driving onto a mine. The mine explodes with significant force, yet appears not to greatly affect the vehicle. Far from stopping its offensive, the vehicle continues to fire at enemy positions, unfazed by the mine explosion. Some time later, it retreats to a safer location, potentially due to possible damage to its traction and subsequent mobility difficulties.
Nevertheless, the Bradley has proved once again that it safeguards the lives of the Ukrainian forces. Mine-infested areas pose a severe threat to the defending army, particularly when riding in lightly armoured and inadequately adapted machines like the Bradley.
For those who need reminding, the M2A2 Bradley is an American infantry fighting vehicle furnished with a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The vehicle, conceptualised in the 1970s, weighs approximately 25 metric tonnes (rounded from 24,948 kg). It's characterised by its armour, comprised of multiple plates made from steel, aluminium, and composites. The manufacturer also ensured the inclusion of an anti-spall lining in the Bradley, designed to shield the crew from explosion-related injuries as seen in the footage from Avdiivka, Ukraine.
