TM 5-5420-280-23&P
GENERAL INFORMATION,
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION, AND THEORY OF OPERATION
RAPIDLY EMPLACED BRIDGE (REB)
NSN 5420-01-481-3959 P/N 12480471
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
EQUIPMENT CHARACTERISTICS, CAPABILITIES, AND FEATURES
The Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) M1977 consists of a modified Heavy Expanded Mobility
Tactical Truck (HEMTT) M977 equipped with a Load Handling System (LHS), which together are called
the CBT or Transporter.
The Bridge is an aluminum welded structure consisting of two bridge halves coupled together at the
center. The bridge is light weight, corrosion resistant, torsionally flexible, and strong enough to support
MLC 30-wheeled and tracked vehicles under normal crossing conditions. It can also support up to MLC
40-wheeled vehicles under a caution crossing.
The usable free span length of the coupled bridge is 42.6 ft (13 m) with a maximum roadway width of
11 ft (3.4 m). A 2 in. (50 mm) high guard rail on the inside of each deck plate is provided as a guide for
vehicle wheel alignment during bridge crossing. Each deck plate is 3 ft 11 in. (1.2 m) wide.
The bridge requires the use of the pallet and the Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) for all launch and
retrieval operations. Launch or retrieval operations require two soldiers, and can be completed in
approximately 10 minutes each.
The Pallet is a separate removable flatrack that is loaded on the CBT by way of the CBT's Load
Handling System (LHS). The pallet contains components making up a launcher, a hydraulic system, an
electrical control system, a diesel engine power unit, pallet support wheels, and four tool boxes for stowage
of BII.
Should the pallet's launch power unit malfunction, hydraulic and electrical power is accomplished by
connecting to the CBT. Launch or retrieval operations using the CBT can be completed in approximately
13 minutes each. The pallet can be transloaded to and from the Palletized Load System Trailer (PLST), but
cannot launch or retrieve the bridge from the PLST. The REB can be transported by C-130, C-141, C17, or
C-5 aircrafts or deployed bridge can be airlifted by CH-47D and CH-53 helicopters.
