M2a2 Bradley proves effective in countering drones in Ukraine war
The war in Ukraine serves as a real testing ground for theories regarding the development of military science. One such theory involves using the main armament of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to combat drones. We present the first case of an FPV drone being shot down by the crew of an M2A2 Bradley ODS IFV.
3:51 PM EDT, June 26, 2024
FPV drones pose a significant threat to both vehicles and individual soldiers, especially in the absence of a modern electronic warfare system.
However, this system does not offer complete protection because opponents can potentially make their drones immune to its effects. Moreover, both sides are developing FPV drones capable of autonomous flight in the final phase, giving them capabilities similar to professional military drones or modern anti-tank guided missiles like the FGM-148 Javelin or Akeron MP.
In such cases, neutralizing the threat is only possible through physical elimination. The IFV's onboard automatic cannon is well suited for this task. These cannons usually have a caliber between 0.8 and 1.6 inches and are loaded with programmable ammunition that detonates at a precisely specified distance.
Shooting down drones with automatic cannons mounted on vehicles has gained importance recently, as seen in the proposals for the latest main battle tanks showcased at the Eurosatory fair. The European main battle tank EMBT and modernizations of the Leclerc and Leopard 2 feature a 1.2-inch anti-drone cannon with programmable ammunition.
Still, with a fortunate mix of luck, an experienced shooter, and a good fire control system, it's also possible to shoot down a drone using regular high-explosive incendiary ammunition. This feat was achieved by the crew of a Ukrainian IFV, who recorded the entire event.
M2A2 Bradley ODS - the famous nightmare of Russians as a drone hunter
The M2A2 Bradley ODS IFV, dating back to the First Gulf War, is equipped with the 1-inch M242 Bushmaster automatic cannon. This cannon has a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute and can fire both armor-piercing and high-explosive incendiary rounds, with an effective range of up to 1.2 miles.
The widely used M792 HEI-T ammunition in Ukraine contains a 0.4-pound projectile, of which about 0.07 pounds consists of powerful RDX explosive. The rest includes a steel casing that provides shrapnel and incendiary material. The projectile has an impact fuse, and its lethal impact area is at least 16 feet.
Additionally, the M2A2 Bradley is equipped with a 0.3-inch NATO machine gun and a twin launcher for BGM-71F (TOW 2B) anti-tank guided missiles, capable of effectively destroying tanks at distances of up to 2.3 miles. However, it is an older generation system that requires missile guidance until impact and cannot be used during movement.
