The U.S. Army’s ongoing efforts to modernize the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) took a significant leap forward recently, with personnel at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) conducting a production qualification test (PQT) on the cutting-edge Vehicle Protection System Base Kit (VBK). According to information published by the U.S. Army on January 16, 2025, this innovative system utilizes advanced sensors positioned on the corners of the Bradley’s turret to provide 360 degrees of detection for incoming laser threats.
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Recently, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground personnel conducted a production qualification test on the Vehicle Protection System Base Kit (VBK) installed on the Bradley IFV. The system uses sensors on the turret corners to provide 360-degree detection of incoming laser threats. (Picture source: U.S. Army)
The system’s ability to rapidly identify and respond to laser targeting is a crucial step in ensuring the Bradley remains a dominant force on future battlefields, offering enhanced survivability for its crew and improved battlefield awareness.
The Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) has proved itself to be lethal and survivable in multiple theaters since first fielded in the 1980s. Armed with a 25mm chain-driven autocannon, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and twin Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles, the Bradley has accompanied American troops in multiple theaters. Its combination of firepower, mobility, and protection has made it an invaluable asset for mechanized infantry units, capable of supporting dismounted soldiers while also engaging armored threats at range. Over the years, it has continually adapted to meet the challenges posed by modern warfare, cementing its role as a mainstay in the U.S. Army’s combat vehicle fleet.
The VBK’s integration marks a critical advancement in the Bradley’s modernization, designed to defend against one of the most pressing threats in modern warfare: laser-guided targeting systems. The system is specifically engineered to detect laser targeting devices, which are often used by adversaries to lock onto vehicles for guided missile or anti-tank weapon attacks. Upon detecting a laser, the Bradley’s commander can quickly utilize the vehicle’s Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) to locate the source of the threat, providing the crew with real-time situational awareness and an opportunity to counter the threat.
The PQT at YPG, conducted in January 2025, involved rigorous testing of the VBK in diverse and extreme environmental conditions. The vehicle was put through simulated combat scenarios over a 6,500-mile course, which covered various terrains ranging from paved roads to gravel paths and the harsh, washboard-style desert surfaces that are known to challenge military vehicles. YPG’s challenging testing environment is particularly valuable in assessing how systems like the VBK perform under real-world operational stresses, where rough terrain can impact the functionality of advanced technologies.
Operators carefully monitored and verified the vehicle’s systems as it traversed these demanding roads, ensuring that the VBK consistently performed its mission of detecting incoming laser threats across different speeds and terrains. The ability to test the Bradley in such a comprehensive manner ensures that the system is thoroughly validated for real-world deployment, where various environmental conditions could affect performance.
One of the unique capabilities of YPG is its ability to conduct live-fire tests under both stationary and moving conditions. This aspect of the testing allowed the Army to simulate real combat situations where the vehicle might be under active threat while navigating difficult terrain. The combination of live-fire exercises and the simulated laser threats added another layer of realism to the testing process, ensuring that the Bradley’s new defense systems are battle-ready.
The test also took advantage of YPG’s vast desert landscape, which features steep mountainsides and diverse terrain features, to challenge the VBK’s ability to detect laser threats from unconventional angles. This was critical for assessing how the system performs in 360-degree scenarios, where an enemy may attempt to engage from elevated or hidden positions.
The testing of the Vehicle Protection System Base Kit is part of a broader, multi-faceted modernization program aimed at ensuring the Bradley IFV can meet the evolving threats of future conflicts. With the increasing prevalence of precision-guided munitions and anti-tank weapons, the VBK system enhances the Bradley’s survivability by providing an additional layer of protection that complements the vehicle’s existing armor and defensive systems.
By conducting these tests at YPG, the Army ensures that the Bradley will remain capable of responding effectively to modern threats, both in terms of protection and situational awareness. The integration of advanced sensor technology, like the VBK, also highlights the Army’s commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield.
The successful production qualification test of the Vehicle Protection System Base Kit at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground is a major milestone in the Bradley IFV’s modernization journey. By enhancing the vehicle’s ability to detect and respond to laser threats, the VBK ensures that the Bradley continues to serve as a crucial asset for U.S. Army mechanized infantry units. As the Bradley moves forward with additional upgrades, it will remain a cornerstone of the Army’s force structure, ready to tackle the challenges of future combat environments with enhanced protection and operational effectiveness.
