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New British Bridge

AmmoTech90

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Just some info/bridge porn for those interested.  Pulled it off the British DIN site.

Sappers welcome air-portable bridging

A new system will be used by Light Forces to create different assault bridges â “ and even a RORO ferry.

The Air Portable Ferry Bridge (APFB) system, which is being procured by the Mobility project team, has successfully achieved its planned In Service Date.

The system, which is like a large Meccano set, can be used to make several different military assault bridge configurations and can also be used to construct a Roll On/Roll Off Ferry.  The system replaces the previous fly forward bridge and is used by light forces.

The contract was awarded to WFEL Ltd in 1999 and looked to utilise existing equipment already in-service with the Royal Engineers.

Existing Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) components, for which WFEL is the design authority, form the main elements of the system, with additional components being developed as part of the programme to deliver the capability required.

The project has not been without its difficulties and came close to cancellation in 2003 due to delays which were caused by technical difficulties.  However, after re-approval of the project in January 2004, it regained momentum and has successfully met its revised milestones.  Andy Hope, the MOB3 project manager, said:

    "This project has been a real challenge for our team.  The project was not in good shape in 2003, but with determination, and a will to succeed, a better working relationship with the contractor was developed, and we have now successfully delivered this unique capability to the Royal Engineers."

The Army is extremely keen to utilise this equipment as it provides immense flexibility.  Each set is stored as eight discrete standard DROPS loads.

They can be transported to theatre by air or sea and then either flown forward as under slung helicopter loads or dropped from a C130 as required.  Maj Dickie Danby, from the Engineer in Chief's department, said:

    â Å“This represents a step forward in our lightweight bridging and ferrying capability, which has great utility in light forces."

A soldier from 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers said the ferry bridge was an impressive new capability and he was pleased to have the chance to be one of the first to get 'hands on'.

Work now continues to deliver the remaining production systems into DSDA Ashchurch.

And preparations are being made for the handover of the equipment to the Engineer Systems Support IPT within the DLO in early 2006.

The Mobility IPT is looking forward to its next projected challenging bridge project â “ a vehicle launched close support assault bridge for the Future Rapid Effects System fleet.  A technology demonstrator programme is expected to be initiated.

This article appears in Preview - The Journal for Defence Equipment Acquisition.
 
Hi Ammo Tech,
Do you have a link, I am interested in trying to find out more about this bridge. Thanks.  :salute:
 
I'll take a look tomorrow at work to see if they have anything more.  The scary thing is you put William Fairey Engineering (the manufacturers) into Google and you get lots of info about their band...
 
I stil cringe every time I see the words "air", "portable", and "bridge/raft" together in the same sentence. :crybaby:
 
Flying bridges?  Or was that butresses?

Anyway, there is more info available on Janes through the DIN in the Military Vehicles and Logistics Yearbook.  Do a search in that book for WFEL and it'll come up.
 
Unfortunately where I'm posted I do not have access to the DIN. I will try the Janes civvie site. Thanks.   :salute:

I did find this link for people in my situation.

http://www.bdec-online.com/cfm/frame.cfm?src=http://www.bdec-online.com/bd-dets/bdw1.htm
 
Chimo said:
Hi Ammo Tech,
Do you have a link, I am interested in trying to find out more about this bridge. Thanks.   :salute:
I read about it awhile ago and thought I saved the link but alas I must have deleted it.
It's a cross breed between single story MGB and the old LFR. ???
I did a quick search and just got this MOD link.
I'll try and find the link I had but as Kat said, I presume this may be the same,typical Brit back breaker. :crybaby:


http://www.army.mod.uk/linked_files/royalengineers/magazine/0411_p746_747_westernrhumba.pdf

 
Spr.Earl said:
I read about it awhile ago and thought I saved the link but alas I must have deleted it.
It's a cross breed between single story MGB and the old LFR. ???
I did a quick search and just got this MOD link.
I'll try and find the link I had but as Kat said, I presume this may be the same,typical Brit back breaker. :crybaby:


http://www.army.mod.uk/linked_files/royalengineers/magazine/0411_p746_747_westernrhumba.pdf

Soon (hopefully) an unclassified copy of the RE-BEW publication "Battleaxe" should be posted to the web. 
APFB is MLC 35, can be built as a fixed bridge or constructed as a ferry using the new pontoons (yes similar to the LFB), it can also be reinforced using link components.

So shortly, if you want to know about the APFB and/or follow RE kit development and doctrine follow this link:

http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/org/bew/index.htm

For all intents and purposes it's SSMGB however the top panels can not be used in a normal MGB set.
 
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