*FM 23-1 FIELD MANUAL HEADQUARTERS No. 23-1 DEPARTMANT OF THE ARMY Washington, DC, 18 March 1996 BRADLEY GUNNERY DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. *This publication supersedes FM 23-1, 1 March 1991 and TC 23-5, 13 May 1991. i FM 23-1 PREFACE This manual provides Bradley-equipped units— • M2/M3 Bradley gunnery theory, methods, and techniques. • A description of system features and capabilities. • A program to train and evaluate individual, crew, section, and platoon proficiency in Bradley gunnery. Features of the Bradley system that do not affect gunnery doctrine and techniques are in the applicable operator’s manuals. Because technical manuals (TMs) have priority updates, in all instances where the procedures in this manual conflict with TM procedures, the TM will be followed. All references to ARTEP 7-8-MTP should be replaced with ARTEP 7-7J-MTP when published. All references to division commands and division master gunners include enhanced or separate brigade commands and brigade master gunners. This manual consists of two parts: Part One is the Crew Member’s Handbook containing specific information for the crew member; Part Two is the Training Manager’s Handbook containing the information training managers and master gunners need to develop BFV training. This manual includes cavalry and air defense artillery BFV gunnery information specific to their missions. This manual should receive widest dissemination. It should be used by commanders, staff, master gunners, and leaders at all levels to develop gunnery programs to sustain combat readiness. The proponent of this publication is United States Amy Infantry School. Submit changes for improving this publication on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forward to Commandant, United States Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-IN-S3, Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5594. Unless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns and pronouns do not refer exclusively to men. vii FM 23-1 Part One Crew Member’s Handbook CHAPTER 1 SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AND CAPABILITIES The Bradley fighting vehicle provides the infantry, cavalry, and air defense with firepower, armor protection, and battlefield agility and yet the infantry retains its traditional ability of fighting on foot. To effectively employ the Bradley, soldiers must know the characteristics and capabilities of the vehicle and its weapons systems. As the Bradley is upgraded and improved and as Army doctrine changes, soldiers must know how to capitalize on the Bradley’s capabilities. Section I VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS The Bradley fighting vehicle consists of two models—the M2 infantry fighting vehicle and the M3 cavalry fighting vehicle. (ADA units have the M3.) Each model has three variants—the M2/M3, M2A2/M3A2, and M2A2ODS/M3A2ODS (Operation Desert Storm). These variants represent improvements in the vehicle’s systems and capabilities (Table 1-1, page 1-3). 1-1. BRADLEY M2/M3 AND M2A2/M3A2 The M2/M3 is the original vehicle fielded in 1983. Since then, Bradleys have been upgraded to A1, then A2 variants. (In 1992, all A1 Bradleys began being remanufactured to A2s.) The A2 improvements consist of— • 600-horsepower powertrain. • 30-mm protection. • Span liners. • Equipped for armor tile. 1-1 FM 23-1 1-2. BRADLEY M2A2ODS/M3A2ODS The latest upgrade is the M2A2ODS/M3A2ODS. These improvements are a result of lessons learned from Operation Desert Storm. a. Bradley Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder. This range finder enables the crew to determine target ranges from 200 to 9,990 meters within plus or minus 10 meters. It is integrated into the vehicle’s integrated sight unit, and it applies automatic superelevation to the weapon system. b. Precision Lightweight Global Positioning System Receiver/Digital Compass System. The PLGR gives the crew three-dimensional positioning (longitude/latitude, grid location, and elevation). Working with the DCS, the PLGR indicates hull and turret azimuth, direction, distance to way points, and way points with “steer-to” indication, all shown on independent commander and driver displays. c. Battlefield Combat Identification System. The BCIS gives the crew a means of interrogating suspected vehicles to determine whether they are friendly or unknown. A series of visual and audible signals symbolizes friend, unknown, or friend-in-sector. The BCIS interrogator sends a millimeter wave signal to a suspected target. If the target has a BCIS transponder, the transponder will return a signal. d. Missile Countermeasure Device. The MCD enables Bradleys to deter thermal-guided antitank missiles, thus improving crew survivability. e. Improved Vehicle Restowage. Restowage consists of bench seats, mounted water ration heater, electric engine access door lift, outside stowage for personal gear, and three 25-mm ammunition boxes that contain 50 rounds each of linked ammunition (These boxes of linkedammunition are called hot boxes.) f. Driver’s All-Weather Viewer. The DAW provides the driver with improved day and night visibility in all weather and limited visibility conditions. In addition, its 40-degree field of view and its range allow the driver to detect potential targets at more than 1,200 meters. 1-2 FM 23-1 Section II WEAPONS SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES The BFV has several weapons systems: 25-mm automatic gun, 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun, TOW missile launcher, 5.56-mm firing port weapons (infantry vehicle only), and smoke grenade launchers. Each weapon has a specific capability for various types 1-3 FM 23-1 of missions. Crews must be technical experts on each weapon system and its capabilities. 1-3. M242 25-MM AUTOMATIC GUN The Bradley’s main armament is the M242, 25-mm, fully automatic, externally powered gun (Figure 1-1). It is used to destroy lightly armored vehicles and aerial targets (helicopters and slow-flying aircraft). It is also used to suppress enemy positions (such as troops in the open, in dug-in positions, and in built-up areas). a. The dual-feed system of the 25-mm uses two separate feed sprockets and a system of clutches so that either of the two sprockets can be engaged to feed a selected cartridge (AP or HE). The dual-feed system maintains positive round control through both sprocket handling and extractor groove engagement (Figure 1-2). This dual-feed system allows gunners to select AP or HE ammunition from two separate storage boxes—a 230-round box or 70-round box. Each box can hold either AP or HE ammunition. The 25-mm is externally powered by a 1.5-horsepower DC motor; this allows three rates of fire to be selected: (1) Single shot— fast as the Bradley commander or gunner can squeeze the trigger. (2) Low rate—100 rounds per minute, plus or minus 25 rounds. (3) High rate— 200 rounds per minute, plus or minus 25 rounds. DANGER BEFORE FIRING THE 25-MM GUN, THE GUNNER MUST CHECK THE GUN COVER FOR SERVICEABILITY AND ZIP IT UP AND MUST ENSURE THE TURRET VENTILATION SYSTEM IS OPERATIONAL TO PREVENT POISONOUS GAS LEAKAGE IN THE TURRET 1-4 FM 23-1 b. The 25-mm automatic gun has eight cycles of function as related to the bolt position indicator (BPl) (Figure 1-3, page 1-7). The BPI acts as a guide providing the crew with the position of the bolt as the gun cycles through these functions. The eight cycles of function are as follows. (1) Sear/charge: The bolt is 25 mm forward of its rearmost position. The master link is engaged by the sear. As a safety measure, the firing pin is not cocked. The position indicator arrow points to SEAR. (2) Feed: Linked ammunition enters the 25-mm gun feeder. The feed sprockets strip the rounds from the links and move the rounds (one at a time) 1-5 FM 23-1 to the round positioner. The round positioner pushes the round into the ready position. During the feed cycle, the bolt moves about 25 mm to the rear of sear position. The feeder rotor rotates one-third of a turn (the round positioner places a round into the rotor). The rotor places the round ink face of the bolt between the fixed T-slot extractors. The position indicator arrow points to FEED/DON’T REMOVE FEEDER. The absolute hang-fire protection is activated. (3) Chamber/Ram: The rotor stops its counterclockwise movement once the round is positioned in the bolt face. The bolt, bolt carrier, and round move forward until the round is fully seated in the chamber. The position indicator arrow points to RAM. (4) Lock: The bolt is in the full forward position. The bolt carrier is still moving forward. The cam pin moving in its channel causes the bolt to rotate counterclockwise, the lugs on the bolt engage the recesses in the breech making a solid lock. The position indicator arrow is pointing at the red zone prior to fire. (5) Fire: Final rotation of the bolt pushes the firing pin tang off the firing pin pawl in the track assembly. At this time, the firing pin drives forward pushed by the firing pin spring. In the full forward position, the tip of the firing pin is protruding through the bolt face. The indicator arrow points to FIRE. Although the gun does not use gas in its operation, it uses about 12 mm of recoil to activate a mechanical interlock. If the breech does not recoil, the gun stops its cycle with the bolt still locked in the breech. The position indicator arrow will be pointing to MISFIRE. (6) Unlock: The master link and slider start to the rear once past misfire position, the slider pulls the bolt carrier toward the rear, the cam pin causes the bolt to rotate clockwise and unlock from the recesses in the breech.