Golden Age Weaponsmiths M2 & M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles:


There are two main versions of the Bradley fighting vehicle, one is M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle which can carry six troops and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle which can only carry two troops but has the ability to carry more missiles for the TOW launcher.


A converted version of Bradley fighting vehicle was one of the first vehicles offered for sale by Golden Age Weaponsmiths. The problem was that sales of the vehicle were not up to what was wanted in capabilities by purchasers and sales suffered as a result. Several more caches of the old vehicle were found in what is believed to have been graveyards for the vehicle and it was believed that this was a great opportunity for more sales if an improved model could be developed for minimal cost. Golden Age began to examine the possibility of upgrading the vehicle's design using new weapons and some increases in the armor. The end result was a vehicle that not considerably more expensive to manufacture than the original model that Golden Age sold yet is far more capable. Sales of the upgraded model have increased by over 50% and mercenary companies who purchased the original Golden Age version have been looking to upgrade to the improved model


While armor has been marginally improved, the largest improvement is in the vehicles firepower. The 25-mm cannon was retained but with the use of the new ammunition types were developed for the GAU-12 cannon on the modified AV-8B, the damage of the weapon was vastly increased. This new ammunition has actually already replaced the old ammunition used on the first models refitted by Golden Age. This left the TOW missile launcher which most considered totally out-dated. The launcher was modified to launch short range missiles which are quite a bit smaller. While the launcher only retains the ability to carry two missiles and fire them, internal stowage has been increased. Eight short range missiles can be carried internally in the M2 version of the Bradley and sixteen short range missiles can be carried internally in the M3 version. The missiles have several advantages over the original TOW missiles including the introduction of different warhead and guidance types with the new guidance systems allowing for the engagement of air targets. New Wellington ammunition is used for the old 7.62 machine-gun but is still considered underpowered. As a result, many crews have replaced the machine-gun with rail guns which has the added advantage of using more common ammunition. Also popular is replacing the machine-gun with a Wellington automatic grenade launcher. Some crews have added an additional weapon system with mini-missile launchers being among crews' favorite. While the original version of the Bradley had firing ports, the ones of the sides were eliminated in later models and the ones on the ramp were eliminated when Golden age modified the vehicles.


Model Type: GAW M2A3
Vehicle Type: Armored Personnel Carrier
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).

Troops:M2A36
M3A32


M. D. C. by Location:

[1] Tractor Treads (2):30 each
25 mm Chain Gun (In Turret)30
7.62 Machine Gun (1, Coaxial):10 each
Short Range Missile Launcher (Side of Turret)40
Weapon Turret:80
Smoke Grenade Launchers (2):5 each
Headlights (2):5 each
Rear Hatch:50
Reinforced Crew Compartment:50
Reinforced Personnel Bay:50
[2] Main Body:220


Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the platform until it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is not under attack.
[2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable.


Speed:
Ground: maximum speed on land is 41 mph (66 kph). The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed (About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb barriers and ford trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of up to 30%.
Water Capabilities: The Bradley fighting vehicle is designed to be amphibious and can cross small bodies of water. It is not designed for deep water use. The Bradley can travel in this manner at 4.4 mph (7.2 kph/3.9 knots).
Maximum Range: 300 miles (483 km)


Statistical Data:
Height: 9.8 feet (3.0 meters)
Width: 10.5 feet (3.2 meters)
Length: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters)
Weight: M2A3: 41,898.9 lbs (19,005) unloaded and 49,802.4 lbs (22,590) fully loaded. M2A3: 41,499.8 lbs (18,824) unloaded and 49,478.3 lbs (22,443) fully loaded.
Power Source: Conventional, Diesel (Cummins VTA-903T water-cooled 4 cycle diesel)
Cargo Capacity: Without troops, can carry up to 1.5 tons.
Black Market Cost: 105,000 Credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 25 mm Chain Gun: Mounted as the main gun of the armored vehicle and is surprisingly capable when using new ammunition. The chain gun uses the same Wellington ammunition as is used in the AV-8 Harrier conversions refitted by Golden Age. The turret can traverse through 360 degrees and can be angled up to 60 degrees and down by 10 degrees. Changing belts of ammunition (300 rounds reach) requires about three minutes for a trained crew
    Maximum Effective Range: 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
    Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 for a burst of 20 round, 3D4 for each round.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's hand to hand attacks; each burst counts as one melee action.
    Payload: 300 rounds (15 bursts) of 25 mm ammunition in ready magazine. The M2A3 carries 600 rounds in additional 25 mm ammunition and the M3A3 carries 1200 rounds in additional 25 mm ammunition.
  2. 7.62 Machine Gun (1): The weapon is mounted Coaxial (on the side of the turret) and is designed to protect the vehicle from infantry attacks. Uses WI-10 Ramjet rounds to increase the weapons damage. While the weapon has been refitted using Wellington ammunition, it is still considered underpowered by most crews. As a result, the weapon is commonly replaced by a rail gun or a Wellington automatic grenade launcher.
    Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 m)
    Mega Damage: One round does 1 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 3D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 2D4 M.D.C.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
    Payload: 800 rounds (40 bursts) of 7.62 mm ammunition in ready magazine. The M2A3 carries 1540 rounds in additional 7.62 mm ammunition and the M3A3 carries 3740 rounds in additional 7.62 mm ammunition.
  3. Short Range Missiles Launcher (Converted TOW Launcher): The launcher uses the basic framework of the TOW missile launcher but uses short ranges instead of original TOW missiles. The missiles are smaller and yet more powerful than the TOW missile conversions that Golden Age was using originally. While smaller, the launcher still only carries two missiles but more can be stowed inside the vehicle itself. Missiles need to be hand loaded from inside the vehicle.
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, short range missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega Damage: Varies with missile types, short range missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) missiles (Reloads are hand loaded and require 1 minute per missile.)
    Payload: Launcher carries 2 short range missiles. The M2A3 carries 8 short range missiles internally for reloads and the M3A3 carries 16 short range missiles internally for reloads.
  4. Smoke Dispenser (2): Mounted on either side of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle and launches smoke grenades.
    Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke 40 ft (12 m) in diameter:
    Rate of Fire: Two per melee
    Maximum Effective Range: 1,200 feet (365 m)
    Payload: Carries 4 smoke grenades per launcher.
  5. Integral Smoke Generator: Uses the engine to create a thick cloud of smoke that cover an 80 ft (24 m) around tank.


Sensory Equipment:



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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2002, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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