| M60 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge) | |
|---|---|
An M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB), deploying its scissors-type bridge. |
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| 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 | |
| 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) |
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| 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 speed 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.[1]
Contents |
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 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.[1]
As of 1996, the U.S. Marines had an inventory of 55 bridges and 37 launchers.