DESCRIPTION
The Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) provides the Army Mobility Augmentation Companies and Brigade Engineer Battalions supporting Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) with a survivable, deployable and sustainable heavy-assault-bridging capability. The JAB will provide a gap-crossing capability to cross wet or dry gaps to provide freedom of maneuver on the battlefield and keep pace with Abrams ABCT operations. The JAB is a M1A1 Abrams tank hull with heavy (M1A2) suspension integrated with a hydraulic bridge launcher system to launch the existing Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) Military Load Class 95 Scissor Bridge. The JAB improves survivability, mobility and supportability for the warfighter.
BENEFIT TO THE SOLDIER
The JAB provides survivability equal to the M1A1 chassis. It is the sustainable system designated to replace the AVLB system (chassis and launcher), which is mounted on an obsolete and unsupportable chassis. The M1A1 Abrams chassis base makes this system more affordable than the Wolverine (M1A2 System Enhancement Program-based). The JAB will replace the AVLB system (chassis and launcher) on a 1-for-1 basis up to 337 JAB systems.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Military load capacity: 85 tons
- Span: 18.3 meters
- Performance: Comparable to the M-1 Abrams and Assault Breacher Vehicle
PROGRAM STATUS
2QFY16:
- Milestone C
- Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Contract Award
FY16-FY18: LRIP Test Asset Production
2QFY18: Live Fire Test and Evaluation
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
3QFY18-1QFY19: Production Qualification Test
2QFY19: Initial Developmental Test /Operational Test
FY20-FY23: Production and Fielding