The U.S. Army has awarded DRS Sustainment Systems $17.2 million for acquisition of Joint Assault Bridges.

The award, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, is a modification to an existing contract, with manufacturing taking place in West Plains, Mo.

The production run is expected to be completed by May 2024 and has been funded using fiscal 2018 Army procurement funds.

The Joint Assault Bridge is used by Army Mobility Augmentation Companies and Brigade Engineer Battalions to provide assault-bridging support to Armored Brigade Combat Teams. ABCTs utilize heavy combat vehicles such as M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which often weigh too much to cross conventional bridges.

The JAB uses a M1A1 Abrams tank hull with an upgraded suspension system from the M1A2 integrated with the hydraulic bridge launcher system. It utilizes the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge in the Military Load Class 95 Scissor Bridge category, designed for fast placement of bridge sections that can handle any Army vehicle.

The JAB main armored chassis is designed to be as survivable as the Abrams tank it is based on, allowing it to place assault bridges in combat environments without exposing its crew, and it's tracks give it high mobility in rugged terrain. It will replace existing AVLB chassis assault bridging vehicles on a one-for-one basis. The Army plans to eventually field 337 JABs to its engineer and transportation units

River crossings can be of serious concern to heavy tracked vehicles since existing bridges are often destroyed by the enemy as a defensive tactic, are placed at vulnerable points or simply can't bear the weight -- M1 Abrams tanks, for example, weigh more than 60 tons.

Assault bridging units provide mobility and a stronger, more flexible bridge than older systems that left construction crews vulnerable to enemy fire.

Related Links
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

British army lifts restriction on Commonwealth recruits
London (AFP) Nov 5, 2018
Citizens of Commonwealth countries will be able to join the British armed forces even if they do not live in Britain, the government said on Monday as it struggles to fill vacancies. Britain's junior defence minister Mark Lancaster said in a statement to parliament that the previous five-year residency requirement for Commonwealth army recruits has been removed. "Applications will be accepted from all Commonwealth countries," Lancaster said in his statement, adding that the reform had been intro ... read more