US Awards Leonardo DRS Major Contract for M1074 Joint Assault Bridge Systems to Romania.

On August 22, 2024, Leonardo DRS announced that it had been awarded a contract worth over $49 million to produce additional assault bridge systems for the U.S. Army and the Romanian military as part of a Foreign Military Sales agreement. This contract strengthens Leonardo DRS's position as a key supplier of advanced military engineering systems.

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Leonardo DRS M1074 Joint Assault Bridge System  (Picture source: Leonardo DRS)

The JAB is a next-generation, track-wheeled armored vehicle based on the chassis of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. It is designed to enhance the mobility of U.S. and allied armored forces by providing rapid and reliable assault bridging capabilities in various combat conditions. The system enables armored units to overcome natural and man-made obstacles, ensuring continuous movement and operational momentum.

“We are proud to continue delivering this robust and reliable system to the U.S. Army and allied militaries,” said Aaron Hankins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “The JAB is a force multiplier, offering warfighters superior mobility, rapid assault launch and recovery capabilities, as well as advanced situational awareness through cutting-edge infrared vision technology.”

The JAB system integrates the heavy suspension of the M1A2 Abrams with a hydraulic bridge launcher capable of deploying the Military Load Class 85 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB). This configuration provides significant improvements in survivability and mobility compared to previous systems. Its rapid launch and recovery capabilities minimize crew exposure to enemy fire, a crucial factor in maintaining operational tempo during combat.

This contract highlights Leonardo DRS's deep expertise in supporting a wide range of military missions, from force protection and computer networking to naval propulsion systems. The JAB system, rigorously tested by the U.S. government at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, demonstrates Leonardo DRS’s commitment to delivering reliable and battlefield-proven solutions to modern military challenges.

With over 100 units successfully delivered to date, the JAB system is poised to further enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of U.S. and allied armored forces.

As a reminder, the M1074 Joint Assault Bridge System (JABS) is based on the chassis of the M1A1 version of the M1 Abrams main battle tank, utilizing the suspension system from the M1A2 and upgraded with the Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) program. This enhancement is expected to reduce maintenance costs while increasing unit availability and readiness through parts standardization with the Abrams chassis. The unit features a new hydraulic bridge launcher system as well as Embedded Diagnostics (ED). Survivability is enhanced by components from the Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK), including Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT1), the Rear Viewer Sensor System (RVSS), and the Tank-Infantry Phone (TIP). Additionally, it can be equipped, depending on the situation, with the AUTOFLUG driver’s seat and the Abrams Lightweight Underbody Kit. The vehicle itself is unarmed; however, the crew members are typically armed with assault rifles (M16 or M4), pistols, flares, and/or colored smoke grenades.

The Bridge Launcher Mechanism (BLM) was designed by Israeli Military Industries in conjunction with Leonardo DRS. The bridge controls are a basic push-button system, similar to that of the M104 Wolverine, while the computer assembles and deploys the bridge. The bridge extends vertically, unlike the M104 Wolverine, which extends horizontally. It can deploy a Heavy Assault Scissor Bridge (HASB) with a Military Load Class of 115 (caution 120), allowing a gap crossing of 18.3 meters in approximately 3 minutes.