the only real differences i know of are that the M3 is made of steel opposed to the oh so flammable aluminum of the M2 and that it doesn\'t have those useless firing ports, anybody care to explain in detail the differences?The hulls of the two vehicles are absolutley identical in every single wayBoth are aluminum (which is not oh-so flammable) with steel laminate armorLevels of protection are the sameThe only differences are internalThe current M2A2 is an Infantry fighting Vehicle designed to transport most of an infantry squad on the battlefield so has seats for 6 dismount soldiers plus its crew of 3It has no firing portsThe M3 is a Cavalry Fighting VehicleIt carries just 2 scouts instead of 6 infantry so the extra space is used to carry more ammunition: an extra 5 TOW missiles, 600 rounds of 25mm and 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm to be preciseIt was also intended to carry a motorcycle but this was never done.Other related question