Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle in Bridge Layer configuration able to launch 22 and 14 meters bridge
The Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle in Bridge Layer configuration will offer the same capabilities as the Leopard 2 Leguan Bridge Layer which is based on tank tracked chassis. Both can carry and deploy a 22 meter MLC50 bridge and also a 14-meter MLC100 bridge.
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The Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle in Bridge layer configuration can carry and deploy a 22-meter MLC50 bridge. (Picture source Twitter account Nicholas Drummond)
The Boxer 8x8 armored vehicle in Bridge Layer configuration was presented for the first time to the public during the Defense Exhibition DSEI that was held in London, September 2021. The new Boxer bridge module can deploy two types of bridge: a heavy variant that spans 14 meters and can carry 80 tons and a longer version of 22 meters, certified for 50 tons.
It was possible to configure the Boxer vehicle as a bridge layer thanks to its modular design which consists of two key elements including the platform/drive-line and the removable mission module located at the rear. The mission module is a unique feature of Boxer. Mission modules are interchangeable pod-like units that are fitted to drive modules to form a complete mission variant vehicle. Mission modules are attached by four points and can be swapped within an hour under field conditions.
The fully automatic laying system aboard the Boxer allows the operator to lay the 14 m bridge within five minutes, and 22 m bridge in six minutes. The bridge layer system takes about eight minutes and seven minutes to roll back the 22 m bridge and 14 m bridge respectively.
The Leguan Leopard 2 is a bridge layer tracked armored vehicle or AVLB (Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge) designed and manufactured by the German Company KMW Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann.
The Leopard 2 Leguan bridge layer system is designed to be configured into different forms as required. It can be configured either as two 26 m bridges with a maximum width of 40 m or two 14 m bridges to negotiate a maximum width of 20 m.
The Leguan Leopard 2 is capable of laying bridges day and night, thanks to a distance measuring instrument, a thermal imaging device as well as a CCD camera. The operation of the system by one soldier alone, even with the hatch closed, is ensured by clearly laid out operating elements and a graphical user interface. An integrated program for a self-test guarantees the high reliability. In addition, the LEGUAN comes equipped with an emergency system for the laying and loading of the bridges.
