TM-5-5420-202-10

TM-5-5420-202-10 - Page 55 of 535

TM 5-5420-202-10

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OPERATOR MAINTENANCE

THEORY OF OPERATION

INTRODUCTION

The Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) was designed to launch and retrieve a Class 60 or

Class 70 bridge. The main body is based on either the M60A1 or the M48A5 tank assembly. An

AVLB transports a folding portable bridge on the top of a tank chassis. The AVLB carries a crew

of two and is powered by a 750 horsepower diesel engine.

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 military load bearing capacity up to Class 60 or 70. To extend the bridge for use, hydraulic

cylinders are used: one to raise the bridge from the chassis and then lower it to the ground, and another

to unfold the structure. 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.

When unfolded, it can span up to 60 feet. The bridge can be retrieved from either end.

Figure 1.

Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB).

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