Type 84 Chinese Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) System
Type 84
Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Type 84 Chinese Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) System
Designation
Type 84
Alternate Designation
Type 84
Equipment Type
Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
1984
Description
Type 84 Chinese Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) System is essentially a Type 69 MBT with its turret removed, fitted with a bridge-launching mechanism similar to that on the German Leopard 1 Biber system. When opened out, the bridge, which is launched over the front of the vehicle, is 18 m long, can span gaps of up to 16m, and take tracked and wheeled vehicles weighing up to 40 tons.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Engine
V-12, water cooled, diesel (580 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
50.0 km/h
Range
365.0 km
Variants
Type 84 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB)
The Type 84 AVLB launches a bridge with a weight capacity of 40,000 kg, but more recent Chinese MBTs, for example the Type 98 and Type 99, weigh far more than the bridgeʼs current weight capacity.
60T HMB
The 60T HMB from NORINCO is a truck mounted bridge designed to conduct deliberate crossings of dry and wet gaps. One set consists of a total of five vehicles, each of which can transport and launch one bridge. This set has a total crew of 12, of which seven are required to position each span.
Type 84A Chinese Heavy Mechanized Bridging (HMB) System
The Type 84A Chinese Heavy Mechanized Bridging (HMB) System can hold tracked armored vehicles weighing up to 50 metric tons on five modular spans. It can handle wheeled vehicles with a maximum axle load of 13 metric tons. The bridge can span a gap of up to 50m. When the bridge is being deployed, the truck backs up to the gap, drops hydraulic stabilizers on either side of the rear, and opens the bridge over the obstacle to be crossed. Outriggers are then opened and extended below the bridge. The bridge sections are carried and placed into position by an 8 x 8 or 6 x 6 wheeled vehicle. Each span is 10.5m long. Up to five can be coupled together. The system can be used in water as deep as 3.5 m. The bridge can also be connected with various types of pontoon bridges.
System
Alternative Designation
Type 84
Type
Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) System
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Crew
3 ea
Chassis
Type 69 MBT
Emplacement Time
4-6 min
Displacement Time
3-5 min
Note
The bridge can be launched with the carrier vehicle positioned on a side slope of between 8 and 10 degrees.
Bridging System
Bridge Length, Span
16 m
Bridge Length, Deployed
18 m
Width, Bridge
3.2 m
Width, Trackway
0.6 m
Height, Deployed
0.78 m
Bridge Weight
8,000 kg
Load Capacity
40,000 kg
Stabilizer Blade
A hydraulically operated stabiliser blade, used during the final stages of bridgelaying, is mounted under the front of the hull and can also be used for obstacle clearing and dozing operations.
Dimensions
Length
9.879 m
Width
3.27 m
Height
2.978 m
Combat Weight
38,500 kg
Unladen Weight
30,000 kg
Ground Clearance
0.35m
Ground Presure
0.852kg/cm² (83553Pa) (12.12psi)
Automotive
Engine Name
Model 12150 L-7BW
Engine Type
V-12, water cooled, diesel
Engine Power
580 hp at 2,000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
15.06hp/t
Fuel Capacity
930 liters
Electrical System
24V
Batteries
4 ea
Range
365 km
Maximum Speed
50 km/h
Amphibious
No
Fording
1.1 m without preparation
Communications
VHF Radio
1 x Type 889 radio with a range of 20 to 25 km
Intercom Set
1 x Type 803 Intercom Set
Protection
Hull Armor
Steel, The hull of the Type 84 AVLB is of all-welded steel armour construction with a high level of protection provided over the frontal arc.
Applique Armor
INA
NBC Protection
Yes
Night Vision
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Yes, The Type 84 AVLB can lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust outlet on the left side of the hull.
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Mobility
Land > Combat Support Vehicles > Mobility
Filter Label
T
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9.88 m
Width
3.27 m
Height
2.98 m
Weight
38500 kg
Operators (3)
China
Tanzania
Zimbabwe
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