
The M2 Bradley, or Bradley IFV, is an American infantry fighting vehicle that entered service in 1981 and began fielding in 1983. It is a member of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family and is manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments. The Bradley is designed for reconnaissance and to transport a nine-man rifle squad, while also providing firepower to suppress and eliminate threats to friendly infantry. The M2 Bradley's fuel capacity is between 175 and 197 gallons (662-746 liters), with a maximum range of 250-400 miles (400-480 km) on internal fuel. In this article, we will explore the fuel capacity and other features of the M2 Bradley in more detail.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 175-197 gallons (662-746 litres) |
| Max range (internal fuel) | 250-400 miles (400-480 km) |
| Max speed on road | 40 mph (61-66 km/h) |
| Max speed on water | 7.2 km/h |
| Engine | 500-horsepower, supercharged, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine |
| Upgraded M2A2 engine | 600-horsepower |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Passengers | 6 soldiers |
| Main weapon | M242 25 mm autocannon |
| Machine gun | M240C |
| Ammunition | 300 ready rounds in two ready boxes (70 AP-type rounds and 230 HE-type rounds) and 600 rounds in storage |
| Firing ports | M231 Firing Port Weapons (FPWs; modified M16 assault rifles) |
| Missile system | TOW missile system |
| Weight | 24.9 tons |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 20 horsepower per ton |
| Hull | All-welded aluminium armour with spaced laminate armour |
| Latest armour | Additional layer of applique steel armour, plus explosive-reactive armour |
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What You'll Learn

The M2 Bradley's fuel capacity is 175–197 gallons
The M2 Bradley, or Bradley IFV, is an American infantry fighting vehicle. It is a member of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family, which also includes the M3 Bradley. The M2 Bradley has a fuel capacity of 175–197 gallons (662-746 litres). This gives the vehicle a maximum range of 250-300 miles (400-480 kilometres) on flat roads at cruise speed.
The M2 Bradley was first introduced in 1981 and entered service in 1983. It is designed to be fast and highly manoeuvrable, with a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64.4 kilometres per hour) on paved roads. The vehicle is powered by a 500-horsepower, supercharged, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 20 horsepower per ton.
The M2 Bradley is designed for reconnaissance and to transport a nine-man rifle squad, including three crew members (a commander, a gunner, and a driver) and six fully equipped soldiers as passengers. The vehicle is equipped with an M242 25mm autocannon as its main weapon and an M240C machine gun mounted coaxially, with 2,200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. It also has a TOW missile system for engaging heavier targets such as tanks.
The M2 Bradley has undergone several upgrades over the years, including the M2A1, which introduced a gas particulate NBC filtration system and the ability to fire TOW 2 missiles, and the M2A2, which added features such as an eye-safe laser rangefinder, a global positioning system, and a missile countermeasure device. The M2A3 further enhanced the vehicle with digital capabilities, such as a 1553 databus and central processing unit.
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This is equivalent to 662–746 litres
The M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles are light armoured personnel vehicles designed to be fast. They have a fuel capacity of between 175 gallons and 197 gallons, which is equivalent to 662–746 litres. This gives the vehicles a maximum range of 400–480 km (250–300 miles) on flat roads at cruise speed.
The standard 24.9-ton Bradley is powered by a 500-horsepower, supercharged, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 20 horsepower per ton and a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64.4 kph) on paved roads. The upgraded M2A2 Bradley has an even more powerful engine, delivering 600 horsepower and a power-to-weight ratio of 24 horsepower per ton.
The Bradley's fuel capacity of 662–746 litres is impressive and allows for a long range of travel without refuelling. This is beneficial for military operations where refuelling may not be easily accessible. The vehicle's powerful engine and high speed also make it well-suited for combat and reconnaissance missions.
Overall, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle's fuel capacity of 662–746 litres is an important feature that contributes to its performance and effectiveness in military operations.
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The vehicle's max range is 400km on the road
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is a highly capable armoured personnel carrier, designed to be fast and agile. The M2 and M3 Bradley variants have a fuel capacity of between 175 and 197 gallons (662-746 litres). This gives the vehicle a maximum range of 400km on the road, or 250 miles, at cruise speed.
The Bradley's powerful engine and fuel capacity allow it to keep pace with heavier armoured vehicles such as the M1 Abrams tank. Its speed and range are impressive given its weight, which is between 24.9 and 30.5 tons. The Bradley's fuel capacity and range are important factors in its ability to rapidly deploy infantry and support them in combat.
The Bradley's range and speed are not its only advantages. Its armour protection, weaponry, and manoeuvrability also contribute to its effectiveness on the battlefield. The Bradley can carry a mix of ammunition, including rounds for its M242 autocannon and M240C machine gun, as well as TOW missiles for engaging heavier targets.
The Bradley has undergone several upgrades since its introduction, including improvements to its armour, weapons systems, and sensors. These upgrades have enhanced the Bradley's capabilities and allowed it to keep pace with evolving battlefield requirements.
The Bradley's maximum range of 400km on the road is a testament to its design and engineering. This range, combined with its other capabilities, makes the Bradley a highly effective and versatile fighting vehicle.
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Fuel extensions increase the range to 480km
The M2 Bradley, or Bradley IFV, is an American infantry fighting vehicle. It has a fuel capacity of between 175 and 197 gallons (662-746 litres). This gives the Bradley a maximum range of 400km on the road (250 miles) on flat at cruise speed.
However, with fuel extensions, the range of the Bradley can be increased to 480km (300 miles). This extended range allows the vehicle to cover greater distances and provides more flexibility in terms of its operational capabilities.
The Bradley is designed to be highly manoeuvrable and fast, with a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64.4 kph) on paved roads. Its power-to-weight ratio of 20 horsepower per ton contributes to its speed and agility, enabling it to keep up with other armoured vehicles like the M1 Abrams tank.
The Bradley's fuel capacity and extended range options contribute to its overall effectiveness as a combat vehicle, allowing it to undertake longer missions and operate in a wider range of environments. This extended range can be particularly advantageous in open terrain or when rapid deployment over longer distances is required.
The Bradley's fuel efficiency and range capabilities are important considerations in its design, ensuring that it can support infantry and engage in combat effectively without being limited by fuel constraints.
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The Bradley's fuel capacity is greater than the M1 Abrams tank
The Bradley Fighting Vehicles are designed to be fast and powerful. The M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles are light armoured personnel carriers with a fuel capacity of between 175 gallons and 197 gallons (662-746 litres). This is enough fuel to power the vehicles to keep pace with armoured vehicles like the M1 Abrams tank.
The Bradley can reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64.4 kph) on paved roads, while the M1 Abrams tank travels at 30 miles per hour (48.3 kph). The M1 Abrams tank is powered by a 1,500-horsepower engine, while the standard 24.9-ton Bradley is powered by a 500-horsepower, supercharged, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine. An upgraded M2A2 Bradley has a 600-horsepower engine.
The Bradley is highly capable in cross-country open terrain and was designed to keep pace with the M1 Abrams main battle tank. The Bradley is equipped with an M242 25 mm autocannon as its main weapon, along with an M240C machine gun mounted coaxially. It also has a TOW missile system onboard for engaging heavier targets, such as tanks.
The M1 Abrams tank, on the other hand, is known for its thick armour and powerful main gun. The M1A1 variant is equipped with the M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon and improved armour consisting of depleted uranium and other classified materials. While the fuel capacity of the M1 Abrams tank is not publicly available, it can be assumed that it is less than that of the Bradley given the speed and horsepower differences between the two vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
The M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle has a fuel capacity of between 175 gallons and 197 gallons (662-746 liters).
The max range (internal fuel) is 400km on the road (250 miles) on a flat surface at cruise speed, up to 480 km with fuel extensions.
The M2 Bradley has a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64.4 kph) on paved roads.
The fuel capacity of the Bradley M3A1 CVF is 175-197 gallons (662-746 liters), with an operational range of 250-300 miles (400-480 km).











































