Difference between revisions of "M3A3 Bradley"

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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
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! colspan="10" | Shell details
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! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Range<br>(m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
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! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
| TOW-2 || ATGM || 329 || 21.4 || 0 || 0.01 || 3,130 || 80° || 82° || 90°
+
| TOW-2 || ATGM || 329 || 3,750 || 21.4 || 0 || 0.01 || 3,130 || 80° || 82° || 90°
 
|-
 
|-
| TOW-2B || ATGM || 309 || 22.6 || 0 || 0.01 || 4,100 || 80° || 82° || 90°
+
| TOW-2B || ATGM || 309 || 3,750 || 22.6 || 0 || 0.01 || 4,100 || 80° || 82° || 90°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
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* Access to the fast travelling TOW-2B top-attack missile - capable of penetrating the weak top armour of enemy tanks, and targeting vehicles that are hiding behind cover
 
* Access to the fast travelling TOW-2B top-attack missile - capable of penetrating the weak top armour of enemy tanks, and targeting vehicles that are hiding behind cover
 
* Access to excellent 2nd generation gunner's thermals and CITV
 
* Access to excellent 2nd generation gunner's thermals and CITV
* Respectable reverse of -13 km/h
+
* Good mobility and respectable reverse speed of -13 km/h
 
* Scouting ability
 
* Scouting ability
* Can use the engine smoke system mechanic - deployment of a smoke screen by using the engine and its fuel
+
* Can use the engine smoke system (ESS) mechanic - deployment of a smoke screen by using the engine and its fuel
* Good mobility
+
* Can engage enemy aerial vehicles with the main gun due to +59° of gun elevation
* Can engage enemy aerial vehicles with the main gun due to +59 degrees of gun elevation
+
* -gun depression and a small turret mean you can effectively use hull down tactics
* -9 gun depression and a small turret mean you can effectively use hull down tactics
 
 
* Laser rangefinder for the main gun
 
* Laser rangefinder for the main gun
 
* Great zoom of 4.0x - 12.0x and a good sight FOV of 18-6
 
* Great zoom of 4.0x - 12.0x and a good sight FOV of 18-6
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* More armour than the M3 Bradley, can absorb up to 30 mm APDS (as fired by, for example, the BMP-2) in some places at range
 
* More armour than the M3 Bradley, can absorb up to 30 mm APDS (as fired by, for example, the BMP-2) in some places at range
 
* Quick turret traverse
 
* Quick turret traverse
* Decent reactive mobility
+
* The 25 mm APFSDS belt excels against light vehicles and lightly armoured MBTs
* Shreds light vehicles and lightly armoured MBTs with the APFSDS belt
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Slightly less mobile and less willing to accelerate than the preceding M3 Bradley, due to the increase in weight
+
* Slightly less mobile and less acceleration than the preceding M3 Bradley, due to the increase in weight
 
* Continuously firing the main gun increases dispersion, thereby reducing accuracy
 
* Continuously firing the main gun increases dispersion, thereby reducing accuracy
 
* Low rate of fire for the main gun
 
* Low rate of fire for the main gun
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* Cannot reliably engage enemy MBTs from the front with 25 mm APFSDS
 
* Cannot reliably engage enemy MBTs from the front with 25 mm APFSDS
 
* Infrared countermeasures (as found on the French AMX-30B2 BRENUS and Russian T-90A) will knock the missiles off course
 
* Infrared countermeasures (as found on the French AMX-30B2 BRENUS and Russian T-90A) will knock the missiles off course
* Despite the increase in armour over the regular M3, the armour is still thin and only 3 crewmembers - low survivability
+
* Despite the increase in armour over the regular M3, the armour is still thin and only 3 crew members - low survivability
 
* Missiles can be detonated when hit by enemy fire, even while still in the launcher
 
* Missiles can be detonated when hit by enemy fire, even while still in the launcher
 
* Tall profile
 
* Tall profile
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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 +
;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=light_tank&vehicle=us_m3a3_bradley Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''

Revision as of 12:15, 23 March 2021

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M3A3 Bradley
us_m3a3_bradley.png
GarageImage M3A3 Bradley.jpg
M3A3 Bradley

Description

The Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry, M3A3 is a rank American light tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike". The M3A3 variant differs mainly from the M3 Bradley by its laser rangefinder, its APFSDS belt for the 25 mm cannon and more powerful TOW missiles.

General info

Survivability and armour

Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom
___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet
___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade Expression error: Unexpected * operator. 942 Expression error: Unexpected round operator. __.__
Realistic 538 Expression error: Unexpected round operator. __.__

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M242 (25 mm)
25 mm M242 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 1,500 (300) 201 -9°/+59° ±180° Two-plane 57.1 79.1 96.0 106.2 112.9 0.26 0.23 0.21 0.20
Realistic 35.7 42.0 51.0 56.4 60.0

Ammunition

  • Default: APDS · HEI-T*
  • M791: APDS · APDS · APDS · HEI-T*
  • M919: APFSDS
Penetration statistics
Belt Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default 81 80 76 70 66 61
M791 81 80 76 70 66 61
M919 101 100 97 93 89 85
Belt details
Belt Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M919 APFSDS 1,385 0.1 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
5 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __

Additional armament

Main article: BGM-71 TOW

Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.

BGM-71 TOW missile Reloading rate (seconds)
Capacity (Belt) Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Full Expert Aced
12 (2) -19°/+29° N/A N/A _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
TOW-2 ATGM 800 800 800 800 800 800
TOW-2B ATGM 430 430 430 430 430 430
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Range
(m)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
TOW-2 ATGM 329 3,750 21.4 0 0.01 3,130 80° 82° 90°
TOW-2B ATGM 309 3,750 22.6 0 0.01 4,100 80° 82° 90°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
6 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __

Machine guns

Main article: M240 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm M240
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,400 (200) 941 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Access to a full belt of 25 mm APFSDS shells - higher consistent performance against (the sides of) enemy vehicles than the M3 Bradley's mixed APDS/HEI-T belts
  • Access to the fast travelling TOW-2B top-attack missile - capable of penetrating the weak top armour of enemy tanks, and targeting vehicles that are hiding behind cover
  • Access to excellent 2nd generation gunner's thermals and CITV
  • Good mobility and respectable reverse speed of -13 km/h
  • Scouting ability
  • Can use the engine smoke system (ESS) mechanic - deployment of a smoke screen by using the engine and its fuel
  • Can engage enemy aerial vehicles with the main gun due to +59° of gun elevation
  • -9° gun depression and a small turret mean you can effectively use hull down tactics
  • Laser rangefinder for the main gun
  • Great zoom of 4.0x - 12.0x and a good sight FOV of 18-6
  • The TOW-2B missiles, scouting mechanic and excellent thermals make the M3A3 very effective even at top tier
  • More armour than the M3 Bradley, can absorb up to 30 mm APDS (as fired by, for example, the BMP-2) in some places at range
  • Quick turret traverse
  • The 25 mm APFSDS belt excels against light vehicles and lightly armoured MBTs

Cons:

  • Slightly less mobile and less acceleration than the preceding M3 Bradley, due to the increase in weight
  • Continuously firing the main gun increases dispersion, thereby reducing accuracy
  • Low rate of fire for the main gun
  • Cannot fire missiles while moving at a speed greater than 4 km/h
  • Missile launchers take some time to deploy
  • Cannot reliably engage enemy MBTs from the front with 25 mm APFSDS
  • Infrared countermeasures (as found on the French AMX-30B2 BRENUS and Russian T-90A) will knock the missiles off course
  • Despite the increase in armour over the regular M3, the armour is still thin and only 3 crew members - low survivability
  • Missiles can be detonated when hit by enemy fire, even while still in the launcher
  • Tall profile
  • Enemy vehicles equipped with thermals can see through ESS

History

Devblog

Following the Gulf War of the early 1990's, US engineers developed a new modification of the widely used M3 Bradley in order to incorporate improvements derived from the operational experience gained during the conflict. As such, the Bradley received numerous upgrades to its electronic systems, including a new fire control system, a laser rangefinder and thermal imaging for the commander along with other improvements to the vehicle's protection and firepower.

The M3A3 modification of the Bradley started being shipped to the first U.S. Army units in 1998 with the first vehicles officially entering service in 2000. By late 2010, well over 3,300 Bradleys were converted to the A3 standard and the vehicle continues serving as one of the cornerstones of the U.S. armored units today.

Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


USA light tanks
LVT  LVT(A)(1) · ○LVT(A)(1) · LVT(A)(4)
M2  M2A2 · M2A4 · M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.)
M3/M5 Stuart  M3 Stuart · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC) · M5A1 · M5A1 TD · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD)
M22 Locust  M22
M24 Chaffee  M24 · M24 (TL)
M18 Hellcat  M18 GMC · M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat
M41 Walker Bulldog  M41A1
M551 Sheridan  M551 · M551(76)
M3 Bradley  M3 Bradley · M3A3 Bradley
Wheeled  M8 LAC · T18E2 · M1128 · M1128 Wolfpack
Other  M8A1 GMC · T92 · T114 · HSTV-L · CCVL · XM8 · XM800T · AGS