The M48 AVLB (Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge) is a tank bridge-laying vehicle developed on the basis of the American M48 Patton main battle tank. Its main purpose is to quickly establish crossings over obstacles such as ditches, trenches, small rivers or destroyed bridges to ensure the advancement of troops, in particular tanks and other heavy armored vehicles.
Instead of a turret, the M48 AVLB has a complex "scissors-type" bridge structure, which is transported on top of the hull. Thanks to the hydraulic system, the bridge can be deployed and installed over the obstacle in a matter of minutes (usually 2-5 minutes), which allows for the rapid restoration of the movement of units. The bridge is usually about 19-20 meters long and is able to withstand significant loads, ensuring the passage of even the heaviest tanks.
The M48 AVLB entered service in the 1950s and was used by the US Army, as well as many NATO and other allies, becoming a key engineering tool that greatly increased the mobility of armored units on the battlefield.
