Improving the pontoon bridge economy in Europe

19
Many European armies seek to upgrade or modernize existing obstacle management systems.


Tanks and Turkish army armored personnel carriers ride on a bridge assembled from elements of the Otter bridge system. FNSS is currently improving its system performance.




The goal of the British Tugo project is to acquire the CSB (Close Support Bridging) bridge system no later than 2040 of the year, while the Triton project provides for the delivery of the WWGCC (wide wet gap crossing capability) promising wide bridge for replacing MZ bridges British army to 2027 year, which marks the end of the life of these systems. The Bundeswehr can take part in this British program, since it has been supplying bridge systems of the MoH Amphibious Rig since the Cold War, which will expire in 2030. A discussion is ongoing between the two countries. The Czech army expects to purchase a wheeled bridge layer from 2021 to 2023, the purchase of a pontoon bridge is planned for 2021-2024. The Turkish ground forces are seriously committed to increasing their obstacle crossing capabilities, while the French army has begun a program to modernize its PFM self-propelled floating bridge, mainly with a view to improving its deployment. The Italian army is looking at a similar solution, perhaps wanting to also increase the MLC payload class. At the same time, NATO is working on defining requirements for promising bridges. To date, the target load class for tracked vehicles has been named MLC100 (that is, up to 100 tons), while for wheeled vehicles it has not yet been determined, however, the same applies to the maximum river flow rate. Thus, the industry of Western countries is still waiting for these figures, after which it will begin to design a new generation of bridge systems that will probably appear in ten years, and while many companies are busy upgrading existing systems.


The British Army MH self-propelled ferry leaves the water after completing a task. Great Britain is looking for a successor to its bridges that end in 2027 year


Floating bridges and ferries


There are two methods of crossing water barriers: building a self-sustaining mechanical structure or using floating elements. Among floating bridge systems, we see self-propelled systems - bus-like machines that open before entering the water and turn into bridge or ferry modules; systems carried on board trucks, the modules of which are launched and moved through it using their own engines; finally, floating modules, for which motor boats are required to take the correct position and hold this position along the river.


350 meters long bridge from M3 cars, built by British and German engineers across the Wisla River. During the Anaconda 2016 exercises in Poland, a record was set for the length of the bridge from these sections


Among the General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) self-propelled systems, the MZ floating bridge is arguably the most widespread bridge in use in the armies of the United Kingdom, Germany, Indonesia, Brazil, Singapore and Taiwan. Originally developed by EWK (Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern), it became part of the GDELS portfolio when it bought this German company in 2002. It replaced the previous M2 model, created back in the 60 years, its carrying capacity was increased from MLC70 (G - tracked vehicles) to MLC85 (G) and MLC132 (K - wheeled vehicles), which allowed to transfer the heaviest western tanks 80- x years. Its design began in the 1982 year, and he entered the army in the middle of the 90's. A 4 tonne vehicle with a 4 tonne wheel arrangement has a 28 horsepower diesel engine, which allows it to reach a maximum speed of 400 km / h, two water cannons provide 80 m / s on water. GDELS emphasizes that its system is lighter and smaller than its competitors, as a result of which it has "better off-road patency, not least due to the system of centralized regulation of tire pressure"; her water speed is higher due to greater specific power, as well as retractable bridges that reduce hydrodynamic resistance.


The German Bundeswehr is another operator of the M3 floating bridge. Germany and the UK are discussing a common solution with a view to possibly replacing these systems


According to the company, the secret to the success of the M3 self-propelled ferry is its unique 4x4 configuration with all steered bridges selected from a comprehensive mobility study in which Germany and Britain also studied the 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. Solutions with a large number of axles are heavier, and since the external dimensions are limited by the rules of the road and the standards of transportation by rail and plane, the additional mass entails a loss of buoyancy, while the additional axes also violate the hydrodynamics, reducing the efficiency of the propulsion device. The configuration of the 4x4 with large wheels also guarantees better traction when the MZ comes out of the water. According to GDELS, the wheels of the MZ machine in combination with the highest ground clearance allow you to work in very difficult terrain and overcome high obstacles. The configuration of 4x4 also contributes to lower platform life cycle costs.

Improving the pontoon bridge economy in Europe

A two-section ferry assembled from Otter machines. Turkish company FNSS increases MLC classification capacity to meet new requirements


When approaching in a water barrier, the MZ machine unfolds the side floats, while the width increases from 3,35 meters in the traveling configuration to 6,57 meters. The machine enters the water (maximum slope 60%), then turns on 90 ° to occupy the working position. A platform with controls for working on water is located at the rear of the machine. A beam crane in the front of the MZ machine allows you to set ramps, the usable carriageway width of which is 4,76 meters, to the desired position; they connect either one section of the MOH to another, or the section of the MOH to the coast (the so-called coast links). A two-section ferry can be assembled in about 3 minutes by six soldiers, while to build a bridge with a length of 100 meters, eight sections of the MOH and about 10 minutes are needed, with an 24 soldier, three for each section. With the optional single section control kit, only 16 soldiers are required, respectively two per section. During the Anaconda 2016 exercises in Poland, British and German engineers built an MZ bridge with a record length of 350 meters across the Wisla River.


The Italian Army Engineering Regiment has been supplying CNIM's PFM bridge since the mid-90's. Army wants to upgrade these pontoon bridges


As for the upgrades, the cabin of the MZ car can get an easy reservation, all in order to maintain the speed of work and maximum load capacity. GDELS is working hard on automation, customers want autonomous functions, starting with the crane and ending with the construction of the ferry and bridge. The company invests a lot in this direction, developing additional kits for the modernization of existing systems.


The French Leclerc main tank crosses the river aboard the CEPA EFA ferry. One machine can transform itself into a ferry


At the beginning of the 90's, the French army received its first ferry-bridge fleet EFA (Engin de Franchissement de lAvant - front-end crossing system). It is similar in concept to the MoH, but larger and heavier - 45 tons; it has a diesel engine rated at 730 hp and two rotary water jets with 210 kW each. In addition to the size, an important difference is that one EFA machine can generate MLC10 class steam in approximately 70 minutes. Before entering the water, the machine inflates the floats with a compressor, after which it enters it, deploys the ramps, half of which are equipped with floats. Cars are loaded along the longitudinal axis of the EFA platform; MLC150 class steam is obtained from two connected EFA platforms. It takes only two soldiers per machine, and to build an 100-meter bridge composed of four sections of the EFA, you only need 8 soldiers and less than 15 minutes. France operates 39 of such systems, while the United Arab Emirates purchased the EFA bridge in a modernized version of the XI, which is equipped with an MTU engine with 750 horsepower, allowing faster maneuvering in water. The EFA is a fairly specific system, it can operate as a separate steam system capable of transporting a Leclerc tank.


FNSS Otter Floating Bridge leaves the water after completing a task. Otter Bridge is in service with Turkish forces and is being offered to South Korea.


The Turkish company FNSS has developed its AAAB assault bridge (Armored Amphibious Assault Bridge) to meet the needs of the country's ground forces. On the basis of the 8x8 chassis with all steered wheels, a diesel engine with 530 horsepower is installed, the amphibious vehicle weighs 36,5 tons and the crew is three people. To ensure good off-road patency and maximum stability when driving on roads, the car's suspension can be adjusted, the maximum stroke is 650 mm, and the minimum - 100 mm; ground clearance varies from 600 to 360 mm; a system of centralized tire pressure regulation was installed that improves off-road patency. The maximum speed on roads is 50 km / h, while two water jets, one in front and one in the rear, allow you to develop speed in water 2,8 m / s. On the shore, the sidewalls unfold and the car enters the water, while the maximum slope can be 50%. There is a control panel in the back of the platform, a crane-beam in the front allows you to install ramps (transported on one AAAB platform), two on each side, these ramps connect one platform to another. The current version of the AAAW, which is operated by the army, can form a two-section ferry capable of transporting tracked vehicles weighing up to 70 tons, a three-section steam can accept wheeled vehicles weighing up to 100 tons, while in case of assembly of the bridge the maximum carrying capacity remains the same. To cope with the new MBT of the NATO countries, FNSS is upgrading its AAAW platform, which is now called Otter - Rapid Deployable Amphibious Wet Gap Crossing (“Otter”, a quick-deploying floating floating bridge). It is designed for the maximum caterpillar load that NATO vehicles can give - this is the British Challenger 2 tank with its MLC85 class. Two platforms of the modernized version in the form of a ferry will be able to carry such a load, while the three sections of Otter will be able to receive the MLC120 wheel load, as a rule. MBT and its tractor. One Otter section can form a MLC21 caterpillar load, while 12 systems can form an 150 meter long bridge that carries a MLC85 caterpillar load or a wheeled MLC120. FNSS offers its Otter system to South Korea, with the Korean company Hyundai Rotem selected as a partner and main contractor.


French Army VAB armored vehicles cross the river on a PFM ferry. This CNIM system was purchased by France, Italy, Malaysia and Switzerland.



In response to the needs of the French army, CNIM developed the PFM F2 Pontoon Bridge Park, which is much easier to deploy due to reduced logistics


As for self-propelled systems, in the 80's, the French company CNIM developed the PFM pontoon bridge (Pont Flottant Motorise - a motorized floating bridge). The bridge modules are transported on a cargo trailer from which they descend into the water, then each module is driven by two Yamaha outboard engines with 75 horsepower. The ramps were added to the end parts of the modules, both in the ferry configuration and in the bridge configuration.


French Leclerc main battle tanks move along an 160 meter bridge built of CNIM PFM modules, each of which is equipped with outboard engines


A few years ago, CNIM thought about upgrading its system, which would take into account new requirements and lessons learned from ongoing operations. The French army demanded improvements in air transport, structural improvements and reduced labor intensity of operations, which ultimately led to the emergence of the configuration PFM F2. The deployability was improved by developing a new short ramp fixed at the ends of the surfacing module (a standard ramp is fixed inside the module), which allows the formation of MLC40 class steam using only two 10 meter modules and two ramps. As a result, the logistics load was halved, since only two trucks and two trailers were needed. Four A400M Atlas aircraft or one An-124 Ruslan are enough to deliver a ferry by air. In order to keep the ramp angle within the established limits, the difference in bank heights should be less than one meter. The modernization process includes the complete disassembly of the modules, the replacement of part of the mechanical components, after which the service life is extended by another 20 years, while the outboard engines are replaced by Yamaha 90 hp engines. The reduction in the number of personnel was achieved by adding a wireless control system that allows the operator to control both engines, independently orient each of them and regulate the fuel supply; at the same time, work at night was also simplified, since coordination between the two operators became unnecessary. By connecting two modules together, one operator can control all four outboard engines. Renault TRM 10000 trucks are being replaced with new Scania P410 6x6 tractors, about half of which have an armored cab. The French army has conducted evaluation tests, and CNIM is currently receiving modules for modernization; this work began very recently and should be completed by the middle of the 2020 year. The company offers the same upgrade to customers of the original PFM system: Italy, Malaysia and Switzerland.

To be continued ...
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19 comments
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  1. -1
    7 October 2019 18: 05
    These French, developing all these systems, where are they going to use them? On the Seine? Near Notre Dame Cathedral, God forgive me?
    1. -1
      7 October 2019 18: 20
      Quote: kashcheevo egg
      These French, developing all these systems, where are they going to use them? On the Seine? Near Notre Dame Cathedral, God forgive me?

      All of them always knew where they would apply - in the open spaces of Mother Russia! They won’t calm down in any way.
    2. +1
      7 October 2019 18: 34
      And what, the French army except the shores of the Seine is nowhere to act? Senegal, Mali, Iraq - in all these countries there are no rivers? Is Niger and Tiger already dry? Do you need pontoons on the Helmand River?
      1. -2
        7 October 2019 18: 49
        Quote: Zeev Zeev
        And what, the French army except the shores of the Seine is nowhere to act? Senegal, Mali, Iraq
        And what is the French army doing in Senegal? In Mali? Iraq? What? Does the colonial past keep you awake? Zavi, you are, better shut up than get into politics!
        1. +4
          7 October 2019 18: 53
          You better learn to read the name Zeev. And I do not care about politics, I explain where the French can use bridges and pontoons.
          1. -1
            7 October 2019 18: 55
            Quote: Zeev Zeev
            You better learn to read the name Zeev.

            Sorry, I'm not a Jew. hi
            1. +4
              7 October 2019 19: 00
              Nobody is perfect. So my name is not written in Hebrew, but in Latin request
              1. -1
                7 October 2019 19: 04
                Quote: Zeev Zeev
                Nobody is perfect. So my name is not written in Hebrew, but in Latin request

                I repeat, for the stupid and the poor. I am not a Jew. There is no such name "Zeev" in the Orthodox list. And my name is! wink
                1. +4
                  7 October 2019 19: 41
                  Sabakina? Well, I'm not an expert in Orthodox lists of names, I'm generally from a different faculty. I will take a word lol
    3. +1
      7 October 2019 18: 35
      Although Alexey Ivanovich was not a farmer, he had a large farm. (C) Anecdote

      There are many large rivers in Europe, and the French, being one of the leaders in the production of bridge parks, also actively sell them around the world. hi
      1. -2
        7 October 2019 18: 53
        Quote: lexus
        There are many large rivers in Europe, and the French, being one of the leaders in the production of bridge parks, also actively sell them around the world. hi
        Yeah, just like we were ahead of Europe ...
        1. 0
          7 October 2019 19: 04
          Even without jokes, our PMP - the most advanced - and historically have been traditional objects for copying and imitation. wink
          1. 0
            7 October 2019 19: 11
            Lyosha, I DROPPED FOR YOUR WORDS! I would have to deal with God's chosen Zeev Zeev ...
            1. 0
              7 October 2019 19: 25
              Slava, now you have to "bang")
              After all, the success of the work of pontoons and bridges is forged by nothing more than powerful blows of a sledgehammer.
              Exactly so, when the links are connected, you have to sweat a lot to drive the fixing fingers into the fixing eyes. The structure is disassembled in the same way, only with blows from the other side. drinks
              And, regarding the second part ... with a snowball at VO the number of those whom I try not to react to is growing, so as not to make sense of their worthless being and not to fall to their level.
              wink
              1. -1
                7 October 2019 19: 28
                Lyokha, it’s good that I’m on a week-long vacation! drinks
                1. 0
                  7 October 2019 19: 57
                  Yes, the weather is so outstanding today that like it or not, the statistics of the morning article on sobriety can be corrected in the other direction. lol
  2. 0
    8 October 2019 13: 34
    Thanks - curious!
    Interesting - how justified is the use of self-propelled links for the bridge? They are clearly more expensive and more difficult to operate than the adopted scheme in Soviet pontoon parks - a link and a boat - for example, in PPS-84 ?.
    1. 0
      8 October 2019 19: 00
      In the Soviet Union, there were 2 attempts to create self-propelled pontoon parks. And such parks were even created, tested and recognized as unpromising. Therefore, there were GSP ferries, which could quickly ferry the advanced detachments of heavy armored vehicles, and there were large numbers of PMP fleets for building bridges. And also a huge amount of equipment was floating or able to cross rivers along the bottom.
      1. 0
        9 October 2019 11: 30
        Quote: Potter
        and recognized as unpromising.

        Thanks, but by what criteria?

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