M60 AVLB

M60 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge)
An M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB), deploying its scissors-type bridge.
Type	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1967-present
Used by	See operators
Wars	Gulf War Iraq War
Production history
Manufacturer	1967-1996: Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant, Chrysler Defence (now General Dynamics Land Systems) 1996 onwards: Anniston Army Depot
Unit cost	US$749,000
Produced	M60: 1967 M60A1: 1987
Variants	See variants
Specifications
Mass	Loaded: 56.6 short tons (51.3 t)
Length	Overall: 9.44 metres (31 ft 0 in)
Width	3.66 m (12 ft 0 in)
Height	3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
Crew	2 (Commander and driver)
Main armament	None
Secondary armament	None
Engine	Continental (now General Dynamics) AVDS-1790-2DR V12, air-cooled Twin-turbo diesel engine 750 horsepower (560 kW)
Power/weight	13.2 hp/t
Payload capacity	1× scissors-type folding bridge
Transmission	CD-850-6A 2 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Suspension	Torsion bar suspension
Ground clearance	457 mm (1 ft 6.0 in)
Fuel capacity	1,419 litres (312 imp gal; 375 US gal)
Operational range	290 miles (470 km)
Maximum speed	30 miles per hour (48 km/h)

The M60 AVLB is an armored vehicle based on the M60 Patton main battle tank chassis used for the launching and retrieval of a 60 feet (18 m) scissors-type bridge. The AVLB consists of three major sections: the launcher, the vehicle hull, and the bridge.

Design

The M60 AVLB is based on a M60 Patton tank chassis, but instead of the tank's gun turret, it is equipped with a bridge launcher integrated into the chassis and mounted on top. When emplaced, the bridge 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 (3.81 m). During deployments, bridge emplacement can be accomplished in 2 minutes, and retrieval can be accomplished in 10 minutes under armor protection.

Deployment

As of 1996, the U.S. Marines had an inventory of 55 bridges and 37 launchers.^{[citation needed]}

Statistics

General Information

Primary function: Armored vehicle used for launching and retrieving a 60-foot scissors-type bridge.

Manufacturer: Anniston Army Depot (ANAD)

Contractor: General Dynamics Land Systems Division

Power plant: AVDS-1790-2DA 12-cylinder diesel engine

Power train: CD-850-6A 2 speeds 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 km/h)

Cross country speed: 8-12 miles/hour (12-19 km/h)

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)

Variants

• M60 AVLB - based on the baseline M60 MBTs chassis

• M60A1 AVLB - upgraded version based on the M60A1 MBTs chassis

Operators

Exercise REFORGER '85, an M60 AVLB deploying its bridge on the banks of Lahn River in Central Germany.

• Israel: 10× M60 AVLB in service with Israeli Army.
• Pakistan: M60A1 AVLB in service with the Pakistan Army.
• Singapore: 12× M60 AVLB in service with Singapore Army.
• Spain: 15× M60 AVLB in service with Spanish Army.
• United States: United States Army and United States Marine Corps

See also

• List of U.S. military vehicles by model number
• G-numbers (SNL G301)
• M104 Wolverine
• M3 Amphibious Rig

References

Notes

External links

• Global Security's website on the M60A1 AVLB
• Marine Corp description