The M2 Bradley is the US Army's first mechanized infantry combat vehicle. The first production models appeared in 1981 (at the height of the Cold War), and they were soon being produced at the rate of 600 per year. The hull of the M2 is made of aluminum, with a layer of space laminated armor applied for added protection. The Bradley is equipped with a 25mm Bushmaster cannon and stabilizer to allow for firing on the move. Its troop compartment, located in the rear, is fitted with firing ports and periscopes to allow troops to fire from within the vehicle. Night vision capability and a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defense system are standard on all of the different variants.

The Bradley plays a key role in the US Army's combined arms concept, but critics say it is too big, too expensive, and too difficult to maintain and is insufficiently armored to operate with main battle tanks on the battlefield.

Introduced in 1988, the A2 received an improved 600 horsepower (447 kW) engine with an HMPT-500-3 Hydromechanical transmission. Armor was improved, both passive and the ability to mount explosive reactive armor. The new armor protects the Bradley against 30 mm APDS rounds and RPGs, or similar anti-armor weapons. The new armor eliminated the trim vane that made the Bradley amphibious and covered up the side firing ports. Spaced laminate armor was installed to the hull rear. Spaced laminate track skirts protected the lower hull.

A semicircular shield was attached to the turret rear to add more stowage space, as well as act as spaced armor. Kevlar spall liners were added to critical areas. The troop carrying number was reduced to six, eliminating the periscope position behind the driver. After live firing testing, the seating and stowage arrangements were redrawn. These upgrades raised the cumulative gross weight of the vehicle to 30,519 kg (67,282 lb (30.037 long tons; 33.641 short tons)). The M2A2 was qualified to be transported by the C-17 Globemaster III. M2A2s were all eventually modified to the M2A2 ODS or M2A3 standard.

This 1:32 scale vignette -- "Take Out the Scuds, Kuwait, 1991" -- depicts a M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle seizing an Iraqi defensive position during Operation: Desert Storm. Comes with AFV and all sorts of battlefield accessories. Sold Out!

Dimensions of Diorama:
Length: 14-inches
Width: 10-inches
Height: 8-inches

Release Date: December 2003

Historical Account: "The Greatest Cavalry Charge in History" - The 24th Infantry Division (Mech), the heavy element of the XVIII Airborne Corp, wears three Bronze Battle Star on its Southwest Asia Service Medal denoting participation in all three major campaigns; Defense of Saudi Arabia August 2nd, 1990 - January 6th, 1991, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait January 17th, 1991 - April 11th, 1991, and Southwest Asia Cease-fire April 12th, 1991 - November 30th, 1995. The Division spearheaded the Allied Coalition Forces' attack into Iraq. In 100 hours the mechanized division's 370 kilometer lightning fast attack deep into, through, and encircling, enemy positions severed the enemy's lines of communications through the Euphrates River Valley and shut down his escape routes. The 24th (Mech) drove faster, farther, and with more firepower than General George S. Patton's entire 3rd Army stormed across France. The Division's attack has been called, "The Greatest Cavalry Charge in History".