The Bradley M2A3

United Defense Industries, a leading American manufacturer of combat vehicles and defence weapons in America has been awarded a contract modification valued at $143 million to provide Bradley Combat System vehicles for the U.S. Army, over double the initial funding award of $71.5 million.

Awarded by the Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), the contract modification calls for United Defense to remanufacture and upgrade 55 fully-digitised Bradley A3 vehicles.

"We are excited about this opportunity to provide additional Bradley A3 vehicles for the Army," said Andy Hove, Director of Bradley Combat Systems for United Defense.

"The A3 designation refers to the Bradley's advanced digital architecture and other key improvements. It is the best version of the Bradley we can build and we're looking forward to putting more of them into the hands of soldiers," he added.

The Bradley A3 is a technologically advanced, digital combat system that significantly increases the Bradley's lethality and survivability in battle. The Bradley has played a central role in the US Army’s operations in Iraq.

Virginia based US Defense Industries said in a statement released today that “the Bradley Combat System fulfils critical infantry, cavalry, fire support, battle command and engineer roles for the Army's heavy brigades.”