The U.S. Army acquiring modern assault bridges that based on tank chassis and called Joint Assault Bridges, according to statement release put out by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

The U.S. Army Contracting Command has awarded DRS Sustainment Systems $17.2 million for an acquisition of Joint Assault Bridges (JAB).

Work will be performed in West Plains, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of May 11, 2024.

The JAB is an armoured engineering vehicle, designed to assist militaries in rapidly deploying tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles across gap-type obstacles, such as (and primarily) rivers.

The JAB’s job is to allow armoured or infantry units to cross craters, anti-tank ditches, blown bridges, railroad cuts, canals, rivers and ravines), when a river too deep for vehicles to wade through is reached, and no bridge is conveniently located (or sufficiently sturdy, a substantial concern when moving 60-ton tanks).

According to DRS, the new JABs provides the Warfighter a robust, reliable system with unparalleled commander’s vision, rapid assault launch/retrieve capability, and superior mobility by maintaining the center of gravity close to the M1A2 Main Battle Tank.

Leonardo DRS’ advanced bridging technology solves a long standing Army capability gap, and JAB emplaces the existing military load class 85 “scissor” bridge.