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In early 2003, the Program Manager for Bridging began fielding two new bridge systems to the Army's multirole bridge companies (MRBCs): the improved ribbon bridge (IRB) and the dry support bridge (DSB). Both systems are integral components of the MRBC's objective capability.
The Army designed MRBCs to give commanders a flexible and adaptable unit that can accomplish both float- and fixedbridge missions, are 100 percent mobile (every bridge load has a prime mover), and take advantage of product standardization. MRBCs are being upgraded with the common bridge transporter (CBT), which is a variant of the heavy expandedmobility tactical truck (HEMTT); palletized load system (PLS) trailers; and standard PLS flatracks. Every bridge load, whether it is related to the IRB or the DSB, is palletized so that any CBT or comparable load-handling vehicle could carry, deliver, or reposition palletized bridge loads. MRBCs are optimized to conduct simultaneous fixed- and float-bridge operations.
Improved Ribbon Bridge
The IRB system provides enhanced capabilities to the MRBC by increasing military load class (MLC) capability from MLC 60 tracked (T) to MLC 80T/110 wheeled (W) in water speeds up to 10 feet per second (about 6 miles per hour). This system is a one-for-one replacement for the improved float bridge (IFB), which is reaching the end of its service life. The system is composed of M16 ramp bays and M17 interior bays that can be interconnected into rafts or bridges over nonfordable water gaps. Each MRBC is authorized 30 IRB interior bays and 12 IRB ramp bays, providing 210 meters of bridging.
The IRB is deployed in a manner similar to...