M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB)

The M60A1 AVLB is an armored vehicle used for launching and retrieving a convert|60|ft|m|0 scissors-type bridge. The AVLB consists of three major sections: the launcher, the hull, and the bridge. The launcher is mounted as an integral part of the chassis. The bridge, when emplaced, is capable of supporting tracked and wheeled vehicles with a military load bearing capacity up to Class 60. The bridge can be retrieved from either end. The roadway width of the AVLB is 12 feet, 6 inches. Bridge emplacement can be accomplished in 2 to 5 minutes, and retrieval can be accomplished in 10 minutes under armor protection.

As of 1996, the U.S. Marines had an inventory of 55 bridges and 37 launchers.

Background: The M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge entered the Marine Corps inventory in the late 1980s.

tatistics

:General Information::Primary function: Armored vehicle used for launching and retrieving a 60-foot scissors-type bridge.:Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land Systems Division:Contractor: Anniston Army Depot (ANAD):Power plant: 12 cylinder diesel engine AVOS-1790-20:Power train: CD-850-6A 2 speed forward, 1 reverse:Introduction date: February 1987:Unit Replacement Cost: $749,000

:M60A1 Tank Chassis::Weight, combat loaded: 56.6 tons (51.33 metric tons):Ground clearance: 18 inches (0.4572 meters):Length: 31 feet (9.44 meters):Width: 12 feet (3.66 meters):Maximum speed (governed): 30 miles/hour (48.3 kilometers):Cross country speed: 8-12 miles/hour (12.88-19.32 km):Trench crossing: 8.5 feet (2.59 meters):Range: 290 miles (464 kilometers):Fuel capacity: 375 gallons (14.19 hectoliters):Crew: 2 enlisted

:Bridge::Length, extended: 63 feet (19.19 meters):Length, folded: 32 feet (9.75 meters):Bridge span: 60 feet (18.28 meters):Width, overall: 13.1 feet (3.99 meters):Width, roadway: 12.5 feet (3.81 meters):Width, treadway: 5.75 feet (1.75 meters):Height, unfolded: 3.1 feet (0.94 meters):Weight: 14.65 tons (13.28 metric tons)

Operators

*ISR: Israeli Army
*PAK: Pakistan Army
*SIN: Singapore Army
*ESP: Spanish Army
*USA: United States Marine Corps

ee also

*M104 Wolverine
*List of vehicles of the U.S. Armed Forces
*Armoured vehicle-launched bridge

External links

* [http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/factfile.nsf/0/ecc79c2c4fee4df08525627b006d8c75?OpenDocument Marine Corp description]