An Cosantóir June 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie
20 |
T
he ability to cross
obstacles quickly can
mean the difference
between life and death for
soldiers. The general Dynam-
ics Infantry Assault bridge
(IAb), currently on issue to
the DF is one solution to this
problem. The students of the
33rd Combat Engineer Course
gave a demonstration of its
capabilities in March. Weigh-
ing only 940kg for the com-
plete bridge and transport
pallet, the IAb can be deliv-
ered by air, using an AW-139,
or by land, using a DROPS
equipped truck. The actual
bridge unit is around half the
total weight at 460kg. bro-
ken down into seven bridging
panels, a roller for assembly,
a pontoon for supporting
the bridge in water and an
anchoring system, the IAb is
then manhandled into action
by specially qualified combat
engineers.
The team of 18 combat engineers
carry the individual units (a two-
man carry per item) into a secure
hide before being called into action.
While speed of assembly is a big
advantage of the IAB, this is only
possible with a well-trained crew.
Although it takes only six minutes
for the complete bridge to be as-
sembled, the engineers only emerge
at the last possible moment, as the
longer the team are exposed, the
more vulnerable to casualties they
become, notwithstanding that they
are part of a bigger tactical picture,
usually involving infantry who
would provide security and cover
when the 55kg panels are being
assembled.
The bridge is deployed in two
main ways. The first is a dry, unsup-
ported 30m span. The second uses
two separate bridging units sup-
ported by pontoons that meet in
by CPL PAUL MILLAR
Once called forward to the obstacle, speed is a
form of security. The teams sprint forward in a set
sequence to minimise the chances of one team being
exposed unnecessarily.
