AM 50 is a Czechoslovak, automatically launched assault bridge, that is used by combat engineers for crossing narrow obstacles such as rivers, canals, and ditches that are 10-12 meters wide. It is based on a Tatra 813 8×8 truck.
The AM 50 was developed for the Czechoslovak Army in the late 1960s. Today it is in use in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, India, Pakistan and Vietnam.
Development Work on the vehicle began in 1968 and went through 1969, with the vehicle entering service with the Czechoslovak People's Army in 1972. Even though the original AM 50 variant was based on the Tatra 813 chassis, modern variants like the AM 50/70 EX are based on a modern Tatra 815-7 chassis.
Variants
AM 50 Original variant
AM 50 EX Modernized variant
AM 70 Only one prototype was built.
AM 70 EX Modernized variant.
Technical data +Variant AM 50AM 50 EXAM 70AM 70 EX Crew33EngineTatra T-930-17 12 cylinder, direct injection diesel engineTatra T3C-928-90 8 cylinder, air cooled, turbochargeddirect injection diesel enginePower output at 2,000 rpm at 1,800 rpmTorque output708 lb. ft at 1,400 rpm1,549 lb. ft at 1,000 rpmTransimissionSynchromesh gearbox with automatic split, mechanical gear-shifting, normal or reduced drive mode, 5 forward gears, 1 reverse gearTatra 14 TS 210
Synchromesh gearbox 14 forward gears, 2 reverse gearsClutchDry, triple-plate, with hydraulic controlMFZ 1x430
single-plate diaphragm clutch 1x430 mm attached to the engine fly wheel hydraulic control with pressure-air power cylinderFuel capacity44 imperial gallons92.39 imperial gallonsTop speed (on road)50 miles per hour53 miles per hourTop speed (off-road)9 - 19 miles per hour?Fuel consumption4.71 - 5.89 miles per imperial gallon?Cruising range on road?311 milesAngle of approach/departure35° / 30°35° (without dozer blade) / 25°Wading depth55 inches47 inches (without preparation) 59 inches (with preparation)SuperstructureScissor bridge: Payload: 49 long tons Length of one bay: 44 feet 3.5 inches Width of the carriageway: 13 feet 1.5 inches Total width: 13 feet 9.75 inches Maximum length of bridged obstacle: 351 feet 0.625 inches (8 bays)M-50 EX scissor bridge with parameters in MLC 50:
Length of one bay: 44 feet 3.5 inches Width of the carriageway: 13 feet 1.5 inches or 14 feet 5 inches Maximum length of the bridge: 354 feet 4 inches (8 bays)Gross vehicle weight (with bridge)53,903 lbs66,139 lbsGross vehicle weight (without bridge)38,250 lbs?Length (with bridge)35 feet 1.25 inches36 feet 11 inchesLength (without bridge)32 feet 10.875 inches?Width (with bridge)10 feet 4 inches11 feet 2 inchesWidth (without bridge)8 feet 0.5 inches?Ground clearance?1 feet 4 inchesSources
See also Armoured vehicle-launched bridge Bailey bridge
References