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The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 11:31 am
by Vonz90

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 4:20 pm
by skb12172
It looks like they expect us to be mixing it up in a major land war pretty soon in the future.

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 8:22 pm
by Langenator
One thing I was unable to tell from the article was whether these are upgrades/replacements for existing, older Bradleys, or whether the Army has made changes to the heavy/light mix in its force structure requiring more tracks. I suspect it's the former, since the latter should, logically, be accompanied by a similar sized order for new tanks.

According to wiki, an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) has 90 tanks and 90 Brads, so you're looking at roughly 5 ABCTs worth of tracks. The Army has 4 heavy divisions (1AD, 1ID, 3ID, 4ID) plus 3 other heavy BCT type formations (one BCT of 2ID, 3ACR, 11ACR (OPFOR, but they still have a standard equipment set, too). But I know at least one BCT of 1AD is actually a Stryker BCT, not a heavy one, for (I think) 14 total ABCTs or equivalent, not including the National Guard.

So you're looking at enough Brads for roughly a third of the active force.

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:12 pm
by Netpackrat
My guess is it isn't just that they want more and improved equipment... After over a decade and a half of war, the existing Bradleys are probably starting to get a little clapped out. Seems like these new ones may be a stopgap measure until they can get a next generation replacement developed.

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:08 am
by Jered
I call dibs for when I'm a FEMA camp guard!

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:17 am
by skb12172
Langenator wrote: Fri Jun 29, 2018 8:22 pm One thing I was unable to tell from the article was whether these are upgrades/replacements for existing, older Bradleys, or whether the Army has made changes to the heavy/light mix in its force structure requiring more tracks. I suspect it's the former, since the latter should, logically, be accompanied by a similar sized order for new tanks.

According to wiki, an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) has 90 tanks and 90 Brads, so you're looking at roughly 5 ABCTs worth of tracks. The Army has 4 heavy divisions (1AD, 1ID, 3ID, 4ID) plus 3 other heavy BCT type formations (one BCT of 2ID, 3ACR, 11ACR (OPFOR, but they still have a standard equipment set, too). But I know at least one BCT of 1AD is actually a Stryker BCT, not a heavy one, for (I think) 14 total ABCTs or equivalent, not including the National Guard.

So you're looking at enough Brads for roughly a third of the active force.
They are upgrades. They are all of the current top variety. Apparently, Gen four has a heartier electrical system that can allow for the use of more electronic goodies that generation three simply cannot support.

Re: The USA buys a bunch of Bradleys

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:54 pm
by Langenator
I think there are upgrades to the powertrain and suspension, too, to get back at least some of the mobility that the added weight has taken away.

From what I remember from my days at ARCIC, a full up replacement for the Brad is the #3 priority in the ground combat vehicle queue, after a replacement for the M113 and better tanks.