M60 AVLB

M60 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge)
An M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB), deploying its scissors-type bridge.
Type	Armored 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
Weight	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)
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.

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 70. 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.

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

The U.S. Army and Marine Corps are planning to replace the AVLB with the DRS Technologies Joint Assault Bridge (JAB), which is an M1 Abrams tank chassis combined with an 18.3 metres (60 ft)-long scissor bridge. The M60-based AVLB was found to be slower and unable to keep pace with Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley armored vehicles, and its age was making it difficult to maintain and sustain with parts becoming obsolete. The JAB also has a faster deployment time, with a set-up of three minutes compared to AVLB’s six-minute set-up. First deliveries are planned in mid-2017, with low-rate initial production expected to be reached in 2019.