Armored Vehicles

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle

Also known as
  • M3 Bradley
  • M3 Bradley CFV
  • M3 CFV

The M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is the Bradley family's cavalry scout variant, built to move scouts under armor while carrying a 25 mm chain gun and twin TOW missiles. Entering U.S. Army service in 1981, it remained visible in 2024 NATO training and in 2026 CENTCOM operations.

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle, Tracked cavalry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles
Image source: Centcom Commander Says Epic Fury Crippled Iran, Enhanced Military Partnerships in Region

Role in Conflicts

2020 United States-Iran Conflict
Role in conflict
Armored reconnaissance and security overwatch

U.S. Army M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles operated in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury in the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict.

Bradley Family Split

The M3 keeps the Bradley chassis but trades infantry lift space for scouts, radios, extra ammunition, and anti-armor missiles.

FeatureM3 CFVSource-backed note
Service entry1981The Army article says the first Bradley arrived at Fort Knox in 1981.
Production run2,083 M3 variants by 1994FAS records the end-of-1994 production total for the M3 cavalry configuration.
Armament25 mm chain gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, twin TOW launcherFAS describes the M3's shared Bradley firepower and anti-armor missile fit.
RoleArmored reconnaissance and screeningThe 2024 V Corps article says the M3 is used by U.S. armored cavalry units for armed reconnaissance.

Sources: Armor School's first Bradleys reach Fort Benning; M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS); NATO exercise highlights international operability.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
BAE Systems
Type
Tracked cavalry fighting vehicle
Service note
Cold War design still in U.S. Army service
Designer
United Defense
Designed
1970s
Unit cost
Average BFVS unit cost (TY$): $3.166 million
Produced
1981-1994
Number built
2,083 M3 variants by the end of 1994
Developed from
M2 Bradley

Specifications

Crew
3 crew + 2 scouts
Armament
25mm M242 chain gun, 7.62mm M240C coaxial machine gun, twin TOW missile launcher
Weight
50,000 lb
Mobility
600 hp Cummins VTA-903T diesel; road speed 45 mph; amphibious
Range
300 miles
Protection
Welded aluminum hull with spaced laminate armor
Variants
  • M3A1
  • M3A2
  • M3A3
Ammunition Fired

The M3's anti-armor punch comes from its twin-tube TOW launcher and ready missile stowage.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
BGM-71 TOW, Heavy anti-tank guided missile, Infantry WeaponsBGM-71 TOWAnti-tank missile

FAS says the M3 carries TOW missile rounds in a collapsible armored launch rack and relies on the TOW anti-tank missile when facing heavier enemy armor.

Sources: M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)

Scout vehicle, not troop carrier

The same source describes the M3 as a cavalry/scout vehicle that replaces troop space with scouts, radios, ammunition, and missile rounds.

Sources: M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)

Timeline

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle Key Events

  1. Bradley fielding begins

    The Army article says the first Bradley arrived at Fort Knox in 1981, marking the family's entry into U.S. Army service.

    Sources: Armor School's first Bradleys reach Fort Benning

  2. M3 production total is documented

    FAS says the Army had produced 2,083 M3 Cavalry configurations by the end of 1994.

    Sources: M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)

  3. Paladin Strike shows the M3 in NATO training

    V Corps captioned an M3 Bradley CFV assigned to 2-12 Cavalry Regiment during exercise Paladin Strike at Camp Adazi Training Area, Latvia.

    Sources: NATO exercise highlights international operability

  4. CENTCOM photo shows deployed M3s

    DVIDS published a photo of a team of M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury.

    Sources: U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct Operations in the Middle East

Media

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle Images

M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle, Tracked cavalry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1
Source: Centcom Commander Says Epic Fury Crippled Iran, Enhanced Military Partnerships in Region
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Sources

Guard welcomes most advanced BradleyPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports Bradley manufacturer/background context and identifies the M3A3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle within BAE Systems' Bradley production line. | Accessed: 2026-06-20M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)Publisher: Federation of American Scientists | Note: Supports M3 CFV mission, crew, armament, mobility, protection, and production background. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Centcom Commander Says Epic Fury Crippled Iran, Enhanced Military Partnerships in RegionPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict conflict-use: three Army M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles were fielded by the U.S. Army in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury. | Accessed: 2026-06-20U.S. Army Soldiers Conduct Operations in the Middle EastPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict conflict-use: M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles were fielded by the U.S. Army in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Armor School's first Bradleys reach Fort BenningPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports the Bradley family's 1981 U.S. Army service entry and early fielding context. | Accessed: 2026-06-26NATO exercise highlights international operabilityPublisher: U.S. Army V Corps | Note: Supports image provenance and the Aug. 8, 2024 Paladin Strike photo caption showing an M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle in Latvia. | Accessed: 2026-06-26