Medium Caliber Cannon Lethality Study for Future and Current Infantry Fighting Vehicles

According to the Army Chief of Staff, the Army's infantry fighting vehicle, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, will be in service until 2032. The Bradley fighting vehicle needs an improved medium caliber cannon to defeat the growing threats from improved light armored vehicles and hand held rocket propelled grenades. The Army can continue to keep the Bradley fighting vehicle in service by increasing the lethality of its weapon systems. We examine six medium caliber cannons and their impact on the battlefield. We also examine the use of new medium caliber air burst munitions. Combat modeling and simulation using the joint conflict and tactical simulation (JCATS) is used to predict the contributions of these new technologies to the infantry soldier. Multiple mission scenarios in different environments to include Baghdad urban combat are examined. The medium caliber cannon selected will be the final lethality enhancement for the Bradley.