EWK Bridging Developments
| Bridging developments | |
| Generations of successful bridge-building have secured a unique reputation for EWKIn the area of defence technology EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern GmbH is closely associated with the development and construction of a family of unique amphibious bridging and ferrying vehicles.From the bridging and ferrying rig EWK-Gillois in the 1950s, the M2 amphibious vehicle in the ‘60s and ‘70s, to the modern M3 of 1995, all these bridging systems can be utilised as a ferry and a floating bridge for trucks and heavy combat vehicles.  The inflatable rubber side pontoons of the first generation were soon replaced by two aluminium side pontoons that become part of the bridge structure when the vehicle is used as a bridge or ferry. This facilitated the erection of highly efficient floating bridges and ferries within a shorter time and with little manpower required. When travelling on land the side pontoons are swung up for ease of mobility. A water drive provides mobility in water and holds the vehicle in strong currents. In total 264 EWK-Gillois, 385 M2 and 97 M3 vehicles were built and served in armies around the world.A new generation of AFVs with standard loading classifications of up to MLC70T finally required a more advanced and capable vehicle and the introduction of EWK’s M3 Amphibian as the ultimate solution to the German and British armies in October 1996, represented a standard-setting milestone in military bridging. The 26t M3 is 12.8m long and 3.9m high during road operation and it can achieve a road speed of approximately 85km/h. Loaded as a single ferry with two pump-jet drives, it travels at 13km/h in the water, its axles retracted to reduce drag. A 100m bridge formed by eight M3s is designed to accommodate vehicles up to MLC70T and MLC100W. A ferry of two linked M3s carries a MLC70 Leopard II A5 main battle tank. A 100m-long bridge can be built by 24 soldiers in about 15 minutes. This is at least half the time and personnel required for the construction by the M2 amphibian variant. In 1997 Taiwan placed an order for 22 M3 units and the first six rigs were shipped for service from January 1999. The M3 vehicles for the ROC Army are provided with an armoured cabin, an NBC protection and air conditioning system and some other special specifications fitted to the tropical climate.EWK has gained considerable experience in aluminium welding structures and has developed and manufactured a wide range of other well-known bridge systems. The company produced all the aluminium bridges for the AVLB Biber utilised by six armies, as well as the aluminium bridge sections for the Dornier foldable bridge in service with the German army and two other armies. Infantry bridgeA 26m and a 2 x 14m-MLC70-version of the Biber system is now in its realisation phase, using EWK’s experience of more than 20 years of manufacturing rigid bridges. EWK also was responsible for the development of the French EFA amphibian together with the French company CEFA. CEFA now builds the series for the French Army and EWK has supplied the company with the critical welded aluminium structures.A particularly significant achievement has been the folding float bridge (FSB) of which the company has produced a total of 1,693 bridge bays, more than 11km of bridging length, for 11 ground forces worldwide, including a steel version of the original Russian PMP. The aluminium FSB developed for the German Army is fully interoperable with the American ribbon bridge.EWK has also developed the FSB 2, an advanced MLC70 version to meet the requirements for bridging systems due to the higher loading classifications of AFVs. The FSB 2 maintains interoperability with standard FSB elements as well as the US standard ribbon bridge system. The first bridge bay sections of the FSB 2 have already passed testing and trials with the German Army and successfully fulfilled all the requirements for future users.Another successful product is the infantry bridge BSIA (bridge set infantry assault) for a bridge length of up to 44m. This system was developed for the British Army where 20 sets are in service.The Norwegian Army recently received two prototypes of an aluminium lightweight bridge to be transported on the Bv206 Hagglunds vehicle for crossing short span gaps of up to 3m. The setting can be carried out by two soldiers within a few minutes and without any mechanical support.EWK’s product range includes many aluminium structures for armed forces, such as fast-to-assemble reservoirs, transportation and storage tanks for fuel and stainless steel, portable water tanks. EWK provides worldwide maintenance and repair services, training courses for operator and maintenance personnel and support for general logistics.Newly developed automated welding techniques for unique aluminium alloys should enable EWK to remain at the forefront of future military bridging developments. © |