Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Pontoon Bridge Kit

Author: army.cz

To provide support for armoured and mechanised units for crossing of water streams and bodies the engineer troops of the Czech Army currently operate a Pontoon Bridge Kit PMS. Coastal and river pontoons are transported on TATRA T-813 and T-815 trucks. The kit enables construction of a wide variety of floating bridges and pontoon ferry vessels. The current system should be replaced with a new one within the modernization projects of the Czech Army announced in June by the Chief of General Staff.

The current bridge carrying capacity is 20 – 60 tons, and can be modified to reach MLC80, the maximum lenght of the bridge made of one kit reaches 382 m for the 20 tons capacity, or 227 m for 60 tons. The ferry vessels can carry vehicles of total weight of 150 tons. The usefil width of the pontoon bridge (60 tons capacity) and of the ferry vessel is 6.5 m, or 3.29 m (for the 20 tons capacity).

See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Bridge Layer

In June 2018 the Chief of General Staff presented the following requirements for a new Pontoon Bridge Kit:

Specification:

• Mobile floating (pontoon) bridge;
• Capability to span over one 150 m wide obstacle using 24 pieces of river parts, 6 pieces of coastal parts, 3 pieces of vehicle plates, 12 pieces of tow motor boats to move the bridge and the ferry vessels, and 2 pieces of attack motor boats;
• Lifetime of 20 years.

1. Cabin of the crew

• Transport capacity to carry 4 soldiers;
• Minimum ballistic protection according to the Level 2 of STANAG 4569, AEP-55;
• Cabin equiped with collective automated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) protection, and air-conditioner.

2. Chassis

• Wheeled all-terrain platform at least 8x8 (preferably a platform already operated by the Czech Army);
• Fording depth at least 1.4 m, optimized for frequent operation in water (water-proof wiring, boxes, and chassis groups);
• Possibility to exchange the transported material (coastal or river pontoon parts).

3. Bridge

• Pontoon kit designed to build floating bridges and ferry vessels to transport wheeled and tracked vehicles;
• Operability of the pontoons at minimum water level of 1.0 m;
• The bridge is formed of coastal parts, river parts, and vehicle plates;
• One way;
• Load capacity at least MLC (Military Load Classification) 80 at minimum bridge lenght of 150 m;
• Permissible speed of the stream at least 2 m/s.

4. Mobility

• Maximum road speed (loaded) at least 90 km/h;
• Air and rail transportability;
• Range at least 500 km;

•  Vertical obstacle passability at least 0.5 m.

5. Communication and information systems

• VHF/UHF radio for voice and data communication.

The 15th Engineer Regiment of the Czech Army consists of HQ, 151st Engineer Battalion, 153rd Engineer Battalion, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Centre of Technical and Information Support. The main capabilities of the regiments are to:

• plan, manage, command and control execution of engineer combat support and general support engineer tasks;
• prepare and provide MILENG Task Forces to provide MILENG support to the Armed Forces;
• prepare and provide MILENG units (TFs) for NATO, EU and UN operations;
• manage and control education and training of EOD specialists and provide C-IED training for all units;
• manage and control of provision of MILENG assets in  support to humanitarian and rescue tasks as a part of national Integrated Rescue System.

See also: Military Engineers of the Czech Armed Forces

See also: Modernization Projects of the Czech Army