Titan British Armored Vehicle Launcher Bridge (AVLB)
Titan
Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Titan British Armored Vehicle Launcher Bridge (AVLB)
Designation
Titan
Alternate Designation
Titan
Equipment Type
Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)
Manufacturer
Rheinmetall
Date of Introduction
2006
Description
The Titan British Armored Vehicle Launcher Bridge (AVLB) is a critical engineering support platform operated by the British Army's Royal Engineers. Built on the battle-proven Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank chassis, the Titan provides rapid gap-crossing capability for armoured forces, deploying military bridges in under two minutes from a protected, heavily armoured platform. With 33 units in service since 2006, the system remains one of NATO's fastest bridge-laying vehicles and a cornerstone of British and allied forces' manoeuvre capabilities across complex terrain and water obstacles.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Engine
Diesel (1200 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
55.0 km/h
Range
500.0 km
System
Alternative Designation
Titan
Type
Armored Vehicle Launcher Bridge (AVLB)
Manufacturer
Rheinmetall
Chassis
Built on the battle-proven Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank chassis.
Configuration
Track
Crew
3 (commander, driver, operator) ea
Bridge-Laying Systems and Capabilities
The Titan carries and deploys the Modular Bridging System (formerly designated BR-90), a British Army standard developed by RBSL (Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land). Three bridge variants provide tactical flexibility:
Close Support Bridge Portfolio:
No. 10: 26 meters length, 21–24.5 meters span, carries Military Load Classification (MLC) 85
No. 11: 16 meters in length, 14.5 meters in span, carries MLC 75
No. 12: 13.5 meters in length, 12 meters span, carries MLC 70
These specifications enable the Titan to span gaps, accommodating Challenger 2 main battle tanks (which themselves approach MLC 85 when fully loaded) and NATO's heaviest armoured formations. The system can deploy bridges in tandem configuration and across water gaps up to 5 meters in depth with trestle support. The bridge-launching system achieves operational deployment in less than two minutes while maintaining full crew protection under fire throughout the launch sequence. The hydraulic launching mechanism operates from under armour, eliminating crew exposure during the critical vulnerability window that exposed-crew designs require. This speed advantage is operationally significant: it enables forward elements to achieve rapid bridging support while minimizing the Titan's exposure to indirect fire.
The system's horizontal-cantilever launch technology produces a low silhouette, reducing the detection probability from enemy observations. The bridges themselves—constructed from modular, lightweight aluminum-alloy sections—weigh approximately 11 tonnes for the 26-meter No. 10 configuration, while maintaining the structural capability to support the heaviest NATO tanks.
RBSL operates a specialized Bridge Test Facility at its Telford manufacturing complex, one of only two such facilities worldwide. Each bridge system is engineered to withstand 10,000 crossings under worst-case load conditions in extreme military environments, ensuring operational reliability across multi-year deployments.
Dimensions
Length, Overall
11.0 m
Length, Hull
8.0 m
Width
4.0 m
Height
4.0 m
Weight, Combat
60 tons with bridge
Automotive
Engine Name
Perkins CV12-8A
Engine Type
Diesel
Engine Power
1,200 hp
Maximum Range
500 km
Maximum Speed
55 km/h
Amphibious
No
Gradient
60 %
Side Slope
30 %
Vertical Step
0.9 m
Trench
2.3 m
Fording
1.0 m
Protection
Armor
The vehicle's protection level matches the Challenger 2's composite Chobham-type armour, enabling the Titan to operate in direct fire zones alongside main battle tank formations—a capability lighter wheeled platforms cannot replicate.
Applique Armor
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Exhaust diesel injection
Details
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Category
Mobility
Land > Combat Support Vehicles > Mobility
Filter Label
T
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
11 m
Width
4 m
Height
4 m
Weight
60000 kg
Operators (1)
United Kingdom
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