The US M60A1 Armoured Vehicle Launching Bridge is built on a M60A1 hull, the launcher deploys a scissors-type bridge 60ft (18 m) long. Scissors-type bridges have the issue of that whilst unfolding, they vertically extend in to the air, this can be seen by the enemy if against a tree line, giving away the position of the crossing point and creating a high risk target. When retracting back on to the hull, it can be done at either end of the bridge. Deploying the bridge takes 2 to 5 minutes, and retrieval within 10 minutes under armour protection. As of 1996, the USMC had an inventory of 55 bridges and 37 launchers.
The US M60A1 Armoured Vehicle Launching Bridge Spec’s
Length extended: 63 feet (19.19 meters)
Length folded: 32 feet (9.75 meters)
Bridge span: 60 feet (18.28 meters)
Width overall: 13.1 feet (3.99 meters)
Width roadway: 12.5 feet (3.81 meters)
Width treadway: 5.75 feet (1.75 meters)
Height unfolded: 3.1 feet (0.94 meters)
Weight: 14.65 tons (13.28 metric tons)
The vehicle is operated by the USA (being replaced by the M104 Wolverine), the IDF, Pakistan Army, Singapore Army and Spanish Army.