U.S. Army modifies contract for seven Joint Assault Bridge Systems supply by DRS Sustainment Systems.

According to information released by the U.S. Defense Government website on 18, 2020, DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, was awarded a $7,985,880 modification (P00069) to contract W56HZV-16-C-0028 for seven Joint Assault Bridge Systems. Work will be performed in West Plains, Missouri, with an estimated completion date of December 30, 2021. The initial contract was awarded last March.
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M1074 Joint Assault Bridge Systems JAB of U.S. Army (Picture source U.S. Army)

The Joint Assault Bridge Systems (JAB) also called M1074 in the U.S. Army, is a tracked armored military engineering vehicle based on the Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tank (MBT). The M1074 was designed by Leonardo DRS Technologies to provide deployable bridge capability for units engaged in military operations.

The JAB is based on the M1A1 Abrams tank hull with an upgraded suspension system from the M1A2 integrated with the hydraulic bridge launcher system. So far, it uses the AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge) in the Military Load Class 85 “Scissor” Bridge category, designed for fast placement of bridge sections that can handle any Army vehicle. The JAB is replacing existing AVLB chassis assault bridging vehicles on a one-for-one basis. The Army plans to eventually field 337 JABs to its engineer and transportation units.

The JAB was designed to support M1 Abrams-equipped units in Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF). The U.S. Army assumed the lead for the JAB program in 2010 after the U.S. Marine Corps canceled the program due to cost and performance concerns. The Marine Corps remains involved and is seeking to procure 28 JAB systems in conjunction with the U.S. Army.

The JAB M1074 is used in the U.S. Army to enable the ABCT (Armored Brigade Combat Team) and MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Forces) to close with and destroy the enemy by maneuvering over natural and man-made obstacles that would otherwise prevent freedom of maneuver.