The first one is XM70 1, also called MICV-65, which was developed by American Pacific automobile and foundry company in 1965. A total of five prototype cars were built. After testing, it was found that the potential was not great and it could not be transported by air with C- 14 1 military transport aircraft, so the development was stopped.
The second type is XM765 developed by Ordnance Department of American Food Machinery Chemical Company in 1967. Made two prototype cars. Although they were not adopted by the US military, the company decided to invest on its own and continue to develop and name them AIFV armored infantry fighting vehicles. At present, it is not only equipped in the armies of the Netherlands, the Philippines and Belgium, but also selected by Turkey for franchise production.
The third is1XM723 put forward by the US military in April, 1974, involving three companies, namely Food Mechanochemical Company and Pacific Automobile and Foundry Company.
In June of the same year, 5438+065438+ 10, the US military decided to choose the Ordnance Department of Food Machinery Chemical Company, and signed engineering and pre-production contracts, including the design, development and manufacture of three prototype vehicles, 1 ballistic test vehicle and 12 production test vehicle, as well as related system engineering, production support and test facilities. 1975 Complete all sample cars in summer.
1in August, 1976, the U.S army mechanized infantry fighting vehicle task force independently verified the whole XM723 plan to determine whether the prototype meets the requirements of the future U.S. military.
After verification, the special group put forward many suggestions, some of which were adopted by the US military in June 5438+the same year 10, mainly because the armored reconnaissance and search vehicle scheme has been cancelled, and it is best to develop a general-purpose vehicle that can be used for infantry operations and reconnaissance and search;
The vehicle should use TBAT-II ceramic/jungle Simona turret, equipped with ceramic anti-tank missiles and 25mm cannon. The ceramic double-tube launcher is installed on the left side of the turret, which makes the vehicle have anti-tank ability; Perforations should be kept;
Vehicles can be amphibious; Armor protection is the same as XM723; If the army is equipped, the equipment scheme is 4 vehicles per platoon, 4 vehicles per company 13 vehicles per battalion1vehicle.
1978 65438+In February, FMC handed over two XM2 prototypes to the US Army, and the remaining six were completed in March 1979.
65438+ In February of the same year, XM2 and XM3 were officially named M2 and M3, also collectively known as Bradley Chariots. The first batch of production cars were delivered in May 198 1, and the M2 model was officially equipped with the US military in March 1983.
The total demand of the US military is 6,889 vehicles, of which M2 and M3 are 2,300 vehicles, M2A/KOOC-0/and M3A/KOOC-0/37/KOOC-0/,and the remaining 32/KOOC-0/8 vehicles are M2A2 and M3A2. At that time, it was determined that the monthly output of M2 was 60 vehicles, but the M 1 13 armored personnel carriers of mechanized infantry battalion would not be replaced one by one.
M2 and M3 can be transported by air with C 14 1 military transport aircraft. During air transport, the gunner's sight and apron of the car body need to be removed, and all the load-bearing wheels need to be tightened with wire ropes.
The car was tested in Saudi Arabia together with M 1 main battle tank. 1988, Congress received a proposal to approve the sale of 200 M2A 1 infantry fighting vehicles to Saudi Arabia. In addition, in 1985, the US military also proposed to Congress to provide Jordan with 32 M3 models, but it was not approved.