The M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) is an American tracked armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by heavy armoured cavalry units in the United States 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 armoured 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 Armoured 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 Abram. Only three Bradleys were lost to enemy fire, however, at least 17 were lost to friendly fire.