M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB)
Encyclopedia
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 (18.3 m) scissors-type bridge
. The AVLB consists of three major sections: the launcher, the vehicle hull, and the bridge.
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
based on the M60 Patton
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today...
main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
chassis used for the launching and retrieval of a 60 feet (18.3 m) scissors-type bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
. The AVLB consists of three major sections: the launcher, the vehicle hull, and the bridge.
Design
Basically, the M60 AVLB vehicle comes without the gun turret of the M60 Patton tank that its chassis is based on, it has the bridge launcher mounted on top as an integral part of the hull and is used to carry the bridge with. 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 in 6 in (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.General Information
- Primary function: Armored vehicle used for launching and retrieving a 60-foot scissors-type bridge.
- Manufacturer: Anniston Army DepotAnniston Army DepotAnniston Army Depot is a major United States Army facility fulfilling various depot operations. Primary missions are the repair of tracked vehicles and storage of chemical weapons . The depot is located in Bynum, Alabama....
(ANAD) - Contractor: General Dynamics Land SystemsGeneral Dynamics Land SystemsIn February 1982 Chrysler announced the sale of Chrysler Defense, its profitable defense subsidiary to General Dynamics for US$348.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1982 for the revised figure of US$336.1 million. General Dynamics renamed the division General Dynamics Land Systems. In 2003...
Division - Power plant: AVOS-1790-20 12 cylinder diesel engine
- 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 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
- 10× M60 AVLB in service with Israeli Army.: 12× M60 AVLB in service with Singapore ArmySingapore ArmyThe Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
.: 15× M60 AVLB in service with Spanish ArmySpanish ArmyThe Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
.: United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
: not counted Pakistan ArmyPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
See also
- List of U.S. military vehicles by model number
- G-numbers (SNL G301)
- M104 WolverineM104 WolverineThe M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge is an armored combat engineering vehicle designed to provide deployable bridge capability for units engaged in military operations.-Background:...