Turkey's
Amphibious Assault Bridge
from FNSS
Turkish Land Forces in the first half of 2000's decided to invest in bridging and river/lake crossing capability.
Instead of the pontoon or ribbon bridges, TLF wanted a different approach similar to Germany & UK's M3 Beaver.
Thus TLF opened up a competition for this capability and FNSS of Turkey won the tender and the contract was signed on January 30th, 2007 for 52 vehicles.
All the vehicles have been delivered and Turkish Land Forces now have this capability in inventory.
Enter Amphibious Assault Vehicle - Weasel:
Copyright: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri
The Weasel AAB is a bridge and ferry system designed for Turkish Armed Forces for fast and safe transport of land vehicles through the water obstacles such as rivers or lakes in the battlefield.
Weasel's main difference from the M3 bridging vehicle is its 8 wheel drive capability. This enables the Weasel to have improved mobility over soft terrain conditions that are especially evident in the river banks where AAB should treat during ingress and egress phase of the river crossing.
With its diesel engine, automatic transmission, pneumatic suspension and hydraulic brake system, the AAAB system can climb up to 50% gradient and move on 30% side slope. The system, different from the similar systems in the market, has an 8x8 drive system with a central tire inflation system.
Copyright: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri
The Weasel AAB is self-deployable by road, operating as a 8x8 wheeled vehicle with a maximum road speed of 50 km/h. It is driven into the water for amphibious operation, for which it deploys two large aluminium pontoons, unfolding them along the length of its hull. In water, the Weasel AAB is propelled and steered by 2 fully traversable pump jets at speeds of up to 10 km/h.[FNSS]
One Weasel AAB can be used as a single ferry able to transport a 19 metric ton vehicle aboard. Or 3 of them can be joined together as a single ferry to transport a load of 76 metric tonnes.
Or 12 of the AABs can be joined together as a bridge that spans 150 meters.
Copyright: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri
Copyright: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri
For more information visit FNSS.