Hi Gang,
the latest issue of Tankograd Militärfahrzeug has a picture of the M3A3 BFIST vehicle now based in Germany. Has the BFIST package now being attached to leftover M3A3? Would be some cool conversion for the new Orochi M3A3.
H.-H.

It is not attached to left over M3A3s, but a purpose built M7A3 BFIST. They are the most up to date versions of M7A3 BFISTs that have all the upgrades of the M3A3 as well.

Making the Orochi M3A3 into a BFIST would be inaccurate as well. The M7A3 BFIST is built on an M2A3 chassis with the standard TOW loading hatch and rear periscopes on the rear deck roof, as opposed to an M3A3 with modified TOW loading hatch with periscopes on it and not on the rear roof.

Dear Gino,

both the vehicle plate inside the Bradley, the shipping label outside the vehicle and the 1st BDE 1st CAV said its a M3A3 BFIST. Please advice.

Kind regards,
Ralph

Nitevision, I have to agree with Heavyarty on this issue. I am currently receiving NET training on the BFIST, as a BC with the PA Natl Gd and it's nomenclature is definitely M7 BFIST. My current version, the M7 BFIST SA, is a purpose built vehicle that incorporates a FSSOD package and station. The hull interior is quite different from a standard Bradley as stated with the FSSOD operator seat and 1 additional jump seat along the left sponson opposite the turret shield facing inside. I can verify the data plate intel during my next drill. HTH.
Regards.

Have to concur, it is an M7A3 BFIST. Someone is mistaken.

Hi Guys,

I think thats a pretty interesting report.

Kind regards,
Ralph

http://www3.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/CCRN-6CCS4P

Interesting article, but it is from '02. This was as the M3A3 was still being developed. Since then, the latest version of the BFIST is just known as an M7A3 BFIST and it does not have the M3 TOW reload hatch. It looks just like an M2A3 IFV with the addition of the extra antennas on top of the rear light guards and a flat plate on the rear of the TOW box.

Dear Gino,

please send me an email to

ralph.zwillingatt-online.de

And I will send you a photo. The vehicles I photographed have M3 reload hatches but with less periscopes.

Ralph

The M3 TOW reload hatch on them is strange. I have not seen a BFIST with them yet. I guess the base vehicle was an M3A3 then. I would love to see the pics, PM sent.

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2011/10/Documents/Weapons_Ground_1011.pdf

There is a section about the M7A3 in here stating the base being an M3A3 Bradley. Is dated for 2011.

There's another one dated 2013 that says the same thing. It makes sense to base it on the M3A3 - there never were as many of that variant to begin with, and even the ones I saw downrange were never loaded with a full complement of missiles.
Interesting fact - most mechanices as BAE don't even differentiate between M2A3's and M3A3's. I even pointed out the difference to one so I could get him to open it up.

H-H: Does it have the new style track?

@ Robert: Yes it has. All the Bradley´s at EAS are eqippped with new tracks. Must be T-161 Hi-Performance Light Weight Track.
H.-H.

Also True that the new tracks are T-161 Dual pin links. If anyone wants any pics of our M7A3 BFIST SA's from the PA Gd. PM me with what you would like to see and I will accomodate any reasonable request.

V/r.

Hi Gang,Do`nt want to hijack the thread but does anyone have any pictures of the interior of the Bradley Armoured Cavalry Vehicle - i ask coz i`d love to do one.
I have bought the Academy kit with the idea of building one of these but no amount of "Google-ing" has yielded anything i can use !.
Also i`d like to know how they were used,perhaps something like a fire support role for Bradley units ?.

Hi Danny,
"Bradley Armoured Cavalry Vehicle" is a quite unprecise term. I guess you are refering the "M3A2 Cavalry Fighting Vehile"

Maybe this will help:

http://www.primeportal.net/apc/miloslav_hraban/m3a2_ods_cfv/
HTH
Hans-Hermann

Cheers Mate,Thats what i needed - espcially the bit to the right where they would store the extra ready rounds.