According to the American web resource "The War Zone", the US Army has introduced a new version of its M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, designated M2A4E1 and differing from the M2A4 variant mainly by installing the Iron Fist Light active protection complex of the Israeli company Elbit Systems. It was also reported that the M2A4E1 modification received an improved thermal imaging gunner's sight with a high-definition image and a climate control unit for the landing compartment.
A new version of the American M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle with the installation of the Iron Fist Light active protection complex by the Israeli company Elbit Systems (c) US Army
Otherwise, the M2A4E1 variant corresponds to the latest combatant modification of the Bradley M2A4 BMP, which is being converted during modernization from the M2A2 and M2A3 variants and will be delivered to units of the American army from 2022.
The Iron Fist Light active protection complex (KAZ) installed on the M2A4E1 consists of two launchers of striking elements and four detection units located on the turret of the machine, combining radar antennas with AFAR and infrared sensors. The development of the integration of the Iron Fist KAZ on the Bradley BMP has been carried out since 2020 and during this time the detection units have undergone significant design changes.
The head of the Office of Ground Combat Systems Programs (Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems - PEO GCS) of the US Army, Major General Glenn Dean, said in March that the army was beginning to purchase at least a limited number of Iron Fist KAZ as a result of completing their successful integration on the Bradley IFV.
PEO GCS also stated that the planned funding to replace dozens of old M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA infantry fighting vehicles transferred from the presence of the US Army to Ukraine will be directed to the purchase of the M2A4E1 variant of infantry fighting vehicles. However, it is still unclear how many M2A4E1 the US Army currently plans to purchase and how many of them will be converted from IFVs of available modifications.
A new version of the American M2A4E1 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle with the installation of the Iron Fist Light active protection complex by the Israeli company Elbit Systems (c) US Army
