European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 09, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday. May 9. 1989 the stars and stripes Page 9 Sis John Millar an infantry Erslon of inc new Bradley i Hlin vehicle fires its 25mm main nun at Grunei Millir. West Gerimina last Innelli. The newcomer offers Mure Cre Protection. Praise Rolls with beefed up new Bradley by John Millar War bunt Bureau Grafen Wiir. West Germany Cpl. Joseph Williams looks at the army s overhauled Bradley fighting vehicles that Are rolling into West Germany and likes what he sees. In the original Bradley everyone Felt like they were Riding in a coffin said Williams a Bradley Crew member. They Don t As much  Security is a main part of the new Bradley with its a ceded up Armor and increased Crew Protection. The remodeler Bradley began arriving at units of the 1st inf div fwd and 3rd inf div at Cirale Wohr on april 26, said David spanks infantry vehicle systems coordinator for the . Army in Europe clans for Fielding the Bradley to major army divisions and cavalry regiments in Europe should be Complete within three years he said. The new Bradley also Are being delivered to warehouses in Europe where equipment is stored for . Units that would deploy overseas during War. The army uses two versions of the Bradley the m2 infantry fighting vehicle and the m3 cavalry fighting vehicle. The new versions Are the m2a2 andm3a2. The infantry Bradley is designed As both an offensive and defensive system in which a Crew of three can deliver a nine Man infantry squad to the Battlefield. The cavalry version enables a smaller number of scouts to carry a variety of weapons on reconnaissance missions. Since its Fielding in the Early 1980s, the Bradley often has been the Center of controversy. Taxpayers members of Congress and soldiers who used the vehicle wondered whether the machine was Worth its $1.8 million Price. Critics noted that among other problems the aluminium vehicle offered no More Protection to people in the vehicle than the mii3 armoured personnel Carrier it was designed to replace. With a Turret mounted 25mm Cannon on top the Bradley s height of More than 8 feet also was seen As being Loo High making it an easy target on the Battlefield. The criticism was compounded by an Accident during the vehicle s first Fielding in which several soldiers drowned when a Bradley Sank while crossing a River. Sis John Trsar pfc. Phillip Voricl left and staff s to. Kellyn Ilick Sim clean brass Bullet Dusinus off their new Bradley infantry vehicle after a test firms in Gruff Snohr. In the original Bradley everyone Felt like they were Riding in a coffin. They Don t As much  Cpl. Joseph Williams but like Williams those involved with the Fielding of the new Bradley said they think Many of its previous shortcomings have been fixed. It s a cry big improvement from what they the soldiers were used to before spanks said. The new Bradley has steel Armor bolted Over its aluminium Shell said Cape. Franklin Childress. The special projects officer for the Bradley s Fielding in the 3rd inf div. He said the Crew is further protected by an Interior lining of Kevlar. The lightweight synthetic material from which soldiers helmets Are made. The new Bradley also is capable of being fitted with reactive Armor designed to blast away or deflect High explosive anti tank weapons he said. Childress said other major modifications on the new Bradley include a filter system to protect the Crew from chemical or nuclear attack improvements to the vehicle s 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and an expanded Tow missile system. Previous versions of the Bradley could use Only two of the four types of the tube launched optically tracked wire guided missile. Later on the Bradley will be listed with a larger 600-Horscpowcr engine an improved transmission and a Bce cd up suspension system to handle the machine s increased 6 tons of weight and allow it to keep up with the i Abrams tank which can move along at 41 Mph. To help keep the Bradley s added Load afloat its swim barriers also have been redesigned. Such improvements make the Bradley less vulnerable and give it More  Childress said. Capt. John Benning is excited about the new vehicle. It s a very Good  said Benning. Commander of cob 1st in 15th inf 3rd inf div. It s reliable and survivable it s an outstanding weapons platform that provides High mobility on the  he said. The company s maintenance supervisor. Sgt. 1st class Daniel Snyder also said the Bradley has been improved. After having the vehicle three Days. Snyder said it was three limes Betir than the Bradley we  once All the modifications arc made it la be one hell of a fighting machine he said