The M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) is an American tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments (formerly United Defense) based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. The M3 CFV is used by heavy armored cavalry units in the U.S. Army.
The M3 Bradley CFV is very similar to the M2 Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and is fielded with the same two-man 25mm Bushmaster Cannon turret with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun. It only varies from the M2 in a few subtle ways and by role. The M3 is classified as an armored reconnaissance and scout vehicle and does away with the firing ports found in the M2 series. The M3 also carries more TOW missiles as well as more ammunition for its 25mm and 7.62mm guns.
The Bradley family as a whole was originally intended to support the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), but ended up replacing it altogether. Today, the Bradley is fielded in conjunction with the M1 Abrams series of main battle tanks and often accompanies infantry squads into combat. In the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Bradleys and their 25mm cannon / TOW anti-tank missile combination destroyed more enemy tanks than the M1 Abrams. Only three Bradleys were lost to enemy fire, however, at least 17 were lost to friendly fire. Improvements to the Bradley family have included enhanced identification features, as well as anti-tank missile countermeasures (for first generation wire-guided missiles only) and improved armor protection in the form of ERA.
Bradley is an English surname derived from a place name meaning "broad wood" or "broad clearing" in Old English.
Like many English surnames Bradley can also be used as a given name and as such has become popular.
It is also an Anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic name O’Brolachán (also O’Brallaghan) from County Tyrone in Ireland. The family moved and spread to counties Londonderry, Donegal and Cork, and England.
Bradley is the surname of the following notable people:
Bradley is one of the 20 electoral wards that form the Parliamentary constituency of Pendle, Lancashire, England. The ward elects three councillors to represent the Bradley area, the north-west part of Nelson, on Pendle Borough Council. As of the May 2011 Council election, Bradley had an electorate of 4,581.
Bradley has an extremely high proportion of residents from ethnic minorities; 38.5 per cent of the population are of Pakistani origin.
The Bradley was an automobile manufactured in Cicero, Illinois, USA, by the Bradley Motor Car Company. Production commenced in 1920 with the Model H tourer, which was powered by a 4 cylinder Lycoming engine, had a 116-inch wheelbase, and a selling price of $1295.
In 1921 the Model H continued in production, but was joined by the 6 cylinder powered Model F, also available as a tourer for $1500.
In November 1920, the company went into involuntary receivership, with liabilities of approximately $100,000. Although the assets held by the company were greater, including finished and party-assembled vehicles, along with a large inventory, the company was bankrupt by the end of 1921. Total production of the Bradley automobile was 263 cars.