The M3 Amphibious Bridging and Ferrying System, also known as the M3 Amphibious
Rig is a self-propelled vehicle that is used for the projection of tanks and other vehicles across
water obstacles. It is the world’s most modern and fastest to deploy amphibious bridge and ferry
systems in terms of loading capacity, assembly time, cross-country and in-water maneuverability.
Originally developed by the German firm Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern in 1982 which was then acquired
by General Dynamics European Land Systems, it succeeded conceptually similar to the M2 made by
the same company. The M3 testing was carried out in arctic, central european, and tropical climate
conditions, including civil defense operations, exercise and combat operations. The ultimate M3
amphibious offers high mobility, availability and seamless land to water transition.
However, it also functions as a four-wheeled vehicle on roads and propels itself in water
using two large aluminum pontoons that create buoyancy, which when linked together, these
pontoons form a bridge capable of supporting heavy battle tanks that can carry loads of up 132 Tons.
Whether used as a bridge or as a ferry, the M3 can be crossed by all types of Main Battle Tank
including the Leopard 2, M1A2 Abrams or the Challenger 2. It offers interoperability with
other bridging solutions such as the Standard Ribbon Bridge or Floating Support Bridge and
Improved Ribbon Bridge. This amphibious vehicle also offers coupling devices to ensure a correct
interface at any time, making M3 the right fit for coalitions by using different types of
equipment but operate jointly. Moreover, it has a simulator to help provide the right training
and operational levels, with the pontoons can be deployed in or out of the water.
These amphibious rigs also can be controlled from within the cab while it is in the water.
Additionally, multiple rigs may be joined by long connectors called “ramps'', with 4 ramps carried
on each vehicle to form a bridge across a water obstacle. Interestingly, 8 M3 Rigs will bridge
a 100m water gap this way, and can be traversed by vehicles up to and including the heaviest 60
ton main battle tank like the Leopard 2A6 and Challenger 2. Alternatively, just 2 Rigs may be
joined to create a ferry capable of carrying a similar load across much wider water gaps,
and three Rigs joined together may carry up to the equivalent of 2 Main Battle Tank.
In regards to its engine and land mobility, the four-wheel steering
vehicle has a six-speed automatic gearbox. It has differential and longitudinal locks,
retractable axles and a tyre-pressure adjusting system. It is also powered by a 298kW Euro III
standard diesel engine, and has a maximum road speed of 80km/h and a 60% climbing capability.
Meanwhile, for its marine mobility, two water pump jets provide 360° movement in water.
The M3 is operational in water currents about 3.5 m/s and can manoeuvre at depths up to 1.05 m with
the speed of the vehicle in water is about 9 km/h with full load and 14 km/h without.
Talking about its operational history, the M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle saw its first
actions in Operation Telic, Britain's military operations in the Iraq War.
From March 2003, 412 Troop, 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron, and 28 Engineer Regiment of the Royal
Engineers ferried elements of 3 Commando Brigade across the Shatt Al-Basrah waterway,
enabling their continued advance on the Iraqi city of Basra. The M3 was also undertaken a subsequent
riverine crossing at the Rumania oil fields. This action transported three AS90 self-propelled
howitzers in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade of the British Army. The M3 bridges also have
been successfully used in allied operation such as Anakonda 2016 in Poland. With the capabilities it
has, M3 allows military operations to keep flowing regardless of the terrain in the combat theater.
This experience is essential for connecting military requirements with the real combat
environment. The M3 amphibious bridging vehicle is currently operated by several companies
including Germany, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, United Kingdom, Brazil, South Korea, and Latvia.
Talking about the upgraded version, the M3G Millitary Float Brige, is an upgraded version
of M3 which can be configured either as a raft or a float bridge. It is in service with the Republic
of China and Singapore armies which fitted with an armoured cabin, NBC or Nuclear Biological and
Chemical protection, an air-conditioning system, a special tropical climate kit,
computer-based training, maintainer and diagnostic systems, single-raft control,
an automated fire control, extinguishing system, a radio, intercom system, and a rear anchor. It
also can carry up to three 5-tonner trucks and can manoeuvre in water as shallow as 1.05 m,
reaching speeds up to 9 km/hour when loaded and can be deployed by its 8-man
crew within 20 minutes. In addition, it offers improved carrying capacity, greater mobility,
faster deployment and can be operated with fewer personnel. These attributes enable the Singapore
Combat Engineers to offer improved mobility for the 3rd generation Singapore Air Force.
That’s all for today, thank you for watching, and see you in the next video!