Joint Assault Bridge

The Joint Assault Bridge (JAB) program is a critical initiative by the Army to enhance the mobility and operational capabilities of armored forces. The primary objective is to replace the outdated M104 Wolverine and M48A5/M60 chassis-based Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) systems with the more advanced JAB system. Built on an M1A1 Abrams chassis, the JAB is equipped with a heavy M1A2 Abrams suspension and is designed to launch and retrieve the 18.3-meter Heavy Assault Scissor Bridge (HASB), which supports a Military Load Classification (MLC) of 115 tons.

The JAB system is intended for deployment within Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT), specifically in Brigade Engineer Battalions (BEB), Engineer Mobility Augmentation Companies (MAC), and Combat Engineer Companies - Armored (CEC-A). This deployment aims to provide these units with enhanced gap-crossing capabilities during combat operations, thereby improving their maneuverability and survivability.

The production strategy involves collaboration with Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) for manufacturing the Abrams chassis and HASB, ensuring that the JAB meets current maneuver force requirements. The program has achieved several key milestones, including completing Initial Operational Test in November 2020, receiving Type Classification-Standard (TC-STD) and Full Rate Production approval in March 2021, and achieving Full Materiel Release in April 2023.

The acquisition objective for the JAB is set at 297 units, with production quantities planned over several fiscal years to meet this target. Additionally, support from Overseas Operations Costs highlights its importance for both domestic defense missions and overseas operations. The Joint Assault Bridge program represents a significant investment in modernizing the Army's engineering capabilities. By providing a robust solution for gap crossing, it enhances the operational readiness of armored forces and ensures they maintain a strategic advantage in various combat scenarios. The partnership with Anniston Army Depot further underscores the commitment to leveraging existing industrial capabilities to achieve these objectives efficiently.