M3A3 Bradley
Contents
Description
The Fighting Vehicle, Cavalry, M3A3 is a rank VII American light tank with a battle rating of 10.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike". The M3A3 variant differs mainly from the M3 Bradley by its laser rangefinder, its APFSDS belt for the 25 mm cannon and more powerful TOW missiles.
General info
Survivability and armour
Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.
Armour type:
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | ___ mm | ___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom |
___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Turret | ___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet |
___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Cupola | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm |
Notes:
Mobility
| Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
| Arcade | 68 | 16 | 29.9 | 942 | 1,145 | 31.51 | 38.29 |
| Realistic | 62 | 14 | 538 | 600 | 17.99 | 20.07 | |
Modifications and economy
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Unlock order recommendations
The order of modifications should be well thought out. Below is a guide of which modifications to unlock first, but it is just a recommendation and can be modified or adapted depending on the tank commander's preferences.
For tier 1, only one modification is needed to progress to the next tier so it is recommended to just stick with parts as the first modification because it allows you to repair your tank in battle and also is very cheap, allowing you to move on to tier 2 very quickly.
At tier 2, it is recommended to research NVD in order to allow for easy spotting of enemies in battle so that the M3A3 can survive longer and also get more kills (also making night battles viable). Alternatively, FPE can be researched before NVD in order to prevent the first two fires from knocking the M3A3 out of battle. After both of those modifications are unlocked one more is needed before you can progress to tier 3. Adjustment of fire is a good choice here but none of the remaining modifications (Suspension, Brake system, Airstirke) will make a huge difference so it is up to the vehicle commander.
Once tier 3 is unlocked, the priority should be either Smoke grenades or TOW-2B depending on if the commander would rather have a chance of hiding his vehicle or would rather have a better weapon. The third modification from this tier that should be unlocked is either Filters in order to improve the mobility or Crew replenishment.
Moving on to tier 4, the commander can pick either the Engine mod or the APFSDS modification depending on whether improved mobility or firepower is preferred. After those two are unlocked, the commander can pick whatever other modifications he/she wants as the remaining mods from all tiers are more minor than the ones that were prioritized. Tracks, transmission, laser rangefinder, horizontal drive, crew replenishment/filters (whichever wasn't chosen before), and ESS are all good modifications that can make a noticeable impact on the battle. The rest - suspension, brake system, airstrike, and the APDS belts - are all minor modifications that will not make much of a difference in battle and as such should be saved for last, in the order chosen by the commander.
Armaments
Main armament
| 25 mm M242 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 1,500 (300) | 201 | -9°/+59° | ±180° | Two-plane | 57.1 | 79.1 | 96.0 | 106.2 | 112.9 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.21 | 0.20 |
| Realistic | 35.7 | 42.0 | 51.0 | 56.4 | 60.0 | |||||||||
Ammunition
- Default: APDS · HEI-T*
- M791: APDS · APDS · APDS · HEI-T*
- M919: APFSDS
| Penetration statistics | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | |
| Default | 81 | 80 | 76 | 70 | 66 | 61 |
| M791 | 81 | 80 | 76 | 70 | 66 | 61 |
| M919 | 101 | 100 | 97 | 93 | 89 | 85 |
| Belt details | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | |||||||
| M919 | APFSDS | 1,385 | 0.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 78° | 80° | 81° |
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Additional armament
Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.
| BGM-71 TOW missile | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Belt) | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| 12 (2) | -19°/+29° | N/A | N/A | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Ammunition
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| TOW-2 | ATGM | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| TOW-2B | ATGM | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Range (m) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||
| TOW-2 | ATGM | 329 | 3,750 | 21.4 | 0 | 0.01 | 3,130 | 80° | 82° | 90° |
| TOW-2B | ATGM | 309 | 3,750 | 22.6 | 0 | 0.01 | 4,100 | 80° | 82° | 90° |
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Machine guns
| 7.62 mm M240 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 4,400 (200) | 941 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Stock grind
In terms of gameplay, a stock M3A3 is actually not as different from a spaded one as with other vehicles. It is missing many abilities such as TOW-2B missiles, smoke grenades and ESS, engine horsepower, etc. But, the stock vehicle is still very deadly on the battlefield and can be useful to the team. First off, the stock M3A3 is not to be played on the front lines in most cases as it can not fire missiles on the move and also the APDS rounds in the stock 25 mm belt will not penetrate anything heavier than a light tank from the front. It should be played in the second line behind friendly tanks, scouting and supporting them with 25 mm rounds and missiles as needed. The TOW-2A missiles that come stock are great at knocking out tanks from the front, even ones that have ERA. The goal is to not be shot by the enemy but to get assists with the 25 mm gun and kills with the missiles while scouting targets for the team. If possible, flanking routes or long range hull-down sniping are also recommended to try and prevent the tank being hit by enemy fire. In summary, a much more cautious approach should be taken to prevent destruction by enemies and gain RP by getting assists and kills by supporting team mates.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Access to a full belt of 25 mm APFSDS shells - higher consistent performance against (the sides of) enemy vehicles than the M3 Bradley's mixed APDS/HEI-T belts
- Access to the fast travelling TOW-2B top-attack missile - capable of penetrating the weak top armour of enemy tanks, and targeting vehicles that are hiding behind cover
- Access to excellent 2nd generation gunner's thermals and CITV
- Good mobility and respectable reverse speed of -13 km/h
- Scouting ability
- Can use the engine smoke system (ESS) mechanic - deployment of a smoke screen by using the engine and its fuel
- Can engage enemy aerial vehicles with the main gun due to +59° of gun elevation
- -9° gun depression and a small turret mean you can effectively use hull down tactics
- Laser rangefinder for the main gun
- Great zoom of 4.0x - 12.0x and a good sight FOV of 18-6
- The TOW-2B missiles, scouting mechanic and excellent thermals make the M3A3 very effective even at top tier
- More armour than the M3 Bradley, can absorb up to 30 mm APDS (as fired by, for example, the BMP-2) in some places at range
- Quick turret traverse
- The 25 mm APFSDS belt excels against light vehicles and lightly armoured MBTs
Cons:
- Slightly less mobile and less acceleration than the preceding M3 Bradley, due to the increase in weight
- Continuously firing the main gun increases dispersion, thereby reducing accuracy
- Low rate of fire for the main gun
- Cannot fire missiles while moving at a speed greater than 4 km/h
- Missile launchers take some time to deploy
- Cannot reliably engage enemy MBTs from the front with 25 mm APFSDS
- Infrared countermeasures (as found on the French AMX-30B2 BRENUS and Russian T-90A) will knock the missiles off course
- Despite the increase in armour over the regular M3, the armour is still thin and only 3 crew members - low survivability
- Missiles can be detonated when hit by enemy fire, even while still in the launcher
- Tall profile
- Enemy vehicles equipped with thermals can see through ESS
History
Devblog
Following the Gulf War of the early 1990's, US engineers developed a new modification of the widely used M3 Bradley in order to incorporate improvements derived from the operational experience gained during the conflict. As such, the Bradley received numerous upgrades to its electronic systems, including a new fire control system, a laser rangefinder and thermal imaging for the commander along with other improvements to the vehicle's protection and firepower.
The M3A3 modification of the Bradley started being shipped to the first U.S. Army units in 1998 with the first vehicles officially entering service in 2000. By late 2010, well over 3,300 Bradleys were converted to the A3 standard and the vehicle continues serving as one of the cornerstones of the U.S. armored units today.
Media
- Skins
- Images
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the vehicles;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| USA light tanks | |
|---|---|
| LVT | LVT(A)(1) · ○LVT(A)(1) · LVT(A)(4) |
| M2 | M2A2 · M2A4 · M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.) |
| M3/M5 Stuart | M3 Stuart · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC) · M5A1 · M5A1 TD · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) |
| M22 Locust | M22 |
| M24 Chaffee | M24 · M24 (TL) |
| M18 Hellcat | M18 GMC · M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat |
| M41 Walker Bulldog | M41A1 |
| M551 Sheridan | M551 · M551(76) |
| M3 Bradley | M3 Bradley · M3A3 Bradley |
| Wheeled | M8 LAC · T18E2 · M1128 · M1128 Wolfpack |
| Other | M8A1 GMC · T92 · T114 · HSTV-L · CCVL · XM8 · XM800T · AGS |
