General Support Bridging (GSB)

Corps of Royal Engineer General Support Bridging(GSB)

The BR 90 GSB is the primary general support bridge. It uses the same modular components as the Close Support Bridges (CSB).

A standard bridge set is carried, launched and recovered from 3 specialist vehicles (1 x Automotive Bridge Launching Equipment (ABLE) and 2 x Bridging Vehicles (BV).

Automotive Bridge Launching Equipment (ABLE)

The ABLE carries the launch / recovery equipment as well as some bridge components. It places a launch rail; over the gap and progressively booms the bridge across, as it is assembled on the sets of rollers.

The rail is able to launch bridges and is also capable of recovering Close Support Bridges (CSB).

 

 

Bridging Vehicles (BV)

Two Bridging Vehicles (BV) carry the remainder of the bridge set. Each BV has a large flatbed body with a hydraulic crane permanently mounted behind the vehicle cab.

Bridging Vehicle

Two Bridging Vehicles (BV) carry the remainder of the bridge set. Each BV has a large flatbed body with a hydraulic crane permanently mounted behind the vehicle cab.

The bridge parts carried on the BV form the left and right sides of the bridge and are added concurrently during the build using the onboard cranes.

 

 

Long Span Equipment (LSE)

A Long Span Equipment (LSE) enables a bridge with a greater load capacity to be constructed.

A Long Span Equipment (LSE) enables a bridge with a greater load capacity to be constructed. The bridge is constructed using extra standard BR90 components and a link reinforcing system.

2 x additional Bridging Vehicles (BV) are required to transport the long span components.

 

 

General Support Bridge (GSB) 2 Span Pontoon

A General Support Bridge (GSB) 2 span pontoon set provides the ability to span larger gaps by using the pontoon as a pier.

A General Support Bridge (GSB) 2 span pontoon set provides the ability to span larger gaps by using the pontoon as a pier.

Two x Drops vehicles rigged with a derrick and hydraulic winch are used to transport the pontoons.

The 4 close coupled pontoons are powered by 2 inboard engines , which enables construction and positioning with the minimum of support.

 

 

Medium Girder Over Bridge (MGOB)

The Medium Girder Over Bridge provides a considerable over bridging capability.

The Medium Girder Over Bridge provides a considerable over bridging capability.

The bridge set is transported on 1 x DROPS pallet and 1 x Field Section can construct it.

 

 

Heavy Girder Over Bridge (HGOB)

The Heavy Girder Over Bridge (HGOB) provides a lower profile allowing easier crossing for heavy transporters and tankers on line of communication routes.

The Heavy Girder Over Bridge (HGOB) provides a lower profile allowing easier crossing for heavy transporters and tankers on line of communication routes.

The bridge is transported on 1 x DROPS pallet of a 14 tonne truck.  A Royal Engineer Field Section and a crane is used to construct the bridge. The bridge can be constructed by hand but the components are extremely heavy.

 

 

M3 Amphibious Bridging

M3 Rigs are apmhibious vehicles that are crewed by a 3 man crew. The M3 Rigs can drive into the water, open up and join together to create a bridge of varying length

M3 Rigs are amphibious vehicles that are crewed by a 3 man crew. The M3 Rigs can drive into the water, open up and join together to create a bridge of varying length. A 100m bridge can be constructed using 8 rigs.