GDR 99 - Land Systems

Building Bridges


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• Land Warriors • The Grizzly & the Wolverine • Expanding Engineering Paradigms • Wagons on a Roll: Freightliner • A Clear View: Helio Periscopes • Power Savings: Plustech • Building Bridges: EWK • Science & Survival: DERA • Feeding the Force: Have-a-Pack • Swedish Workhorse: Volvo
Top: The M3 Amphibian operating in its natural habitat.

The development of the M3 amphibian is just one of EKW's successes, and the company is forging ahead to create other areas of expertise.

Since its foundation in 1864 EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern GmbH has developed considerably. Its area of expertise has expanded and its activities now focus on defence technology, environmental engineering, construction equipment and computer-controlled machines for air-duct manufacturing. EWK's experience in handling aluminium alloys means it also assembles large components for railway cars and manufactures high-voltage switch-boxes for power plants.

In the area of defence technology EWK is closely associated with the development and construction of the unique amphibious vehicle M3, that can be used as a ferry and as a floating bridge for trucks and heavy combat vehicles.

The vehicle was the brainchild of French General Gillois during the 1950s, and he chose EWK to realise his concept. Its co-operation soon resulted in the bridging and ferrying rig Gillois-EWK, a large, robust vehicle with inflatable side pontoons that facilitated the erection of highly-efficient floating bridges and ferries within a short time, using little manpower.

Produced for France, the UK and the US, EWK used it as a platform to develop the smaller but no less powerful amphibian M2 for the German and British armies. The inflatable pontoons were replaced by two aluminium side pontoons that become part of the bridge structure when the vehicle is used as a bridge or ferry. When travelling on land they are swung up for ease of mobility. A water drive provides mobility in water and holds the vehicle in strong currents. In total, 385 M2 vehicles were built for the German, British and Singapore armies.


The M3 amphibian in service with the British Army

Although the M2 proved itself in day-to-day operations as a reliable and efficient piece of equipment for army engineers, the new AFVs with standard loading classifications up to MLC70T required the development of a more advanced and capable vehicle. The introduction of the M3 amphibian to the German and British armies in October 1996 represented a milestone in military bridging.

The 26t M3 is 12.8m long and 3.9m high during road operation and it can achieve a road speed of approximately 85km/h. Loaded as a single ferry with two pump-jet drives, it travels at 13km/h in the water, its axles retracted to reduce drag. A 100m bridge formed by eight M3s is designed to accommodate vehicles up to MLC70T and MLC100W. A ferry of two linked M3s carries a MLC70 Leopard II A5 main battle tank. A 100m-long bridge can be built by 24 soldiers in less than 20 minutes. This is at least half the time and personnel required for construction of the M2 amphibian variant. In 1997 Taiwan placed an order for 22 M3 units and the first six rigs entered service in January. The M3 vehicles for the ROC Army are provided with an armoured cabin, an NBC protection and air-conditioning system and other special specifications suitable for a tropical climate.

Experts in aluminium


The Norwegian Army has recently acquired light bridges for its BV 206 all-terrain vehicles

EWK has gained considerable experience in aluminium welding structures and has developed and manufactured a wide range of other well-known bridge systems. The company produced all the aluminium bridges for the AVLB BIBER used by six armies, as well as the aluminium bridge sections for the Dornier foldable bridge (DoFB) in service with the German and two other armies. A 26m and a 2x14m-MLC70-version of the BIBER system currently is in realisation phase, using EWK's experience of more then 20 years of manufacturing rigid bridges. EWK also was responsible for the development of the French EFA amphibian together with French company CEFA, an ex-daughter firm of EWK. CEFA now builds the series for the French army and EWK has supplied the company with the critical welded aluminium structures.

An achievement of particular significance for EWK has been the folding float bridge (FSB), and to date the company has produced over 11km of bridge for more than ten ground forces worldwide, including a steel version of the original Russian PMP. The aluminium FSB developed for the German army is fully interoperable with the American ribbon bridge. In addition, EWK has developed the FSB 2 as an advanced MLC70 version to meet new requirements for bridging systems that have resulted from the higher loading classifications of AFVs. The FSB 2 will maintain interoperability with the old MLC60 elements as well as the ribbon bridge system. The first interior bay section of the new FSB 2 recently passed its first tests with the German army and successfully fulfilled all the requirements of future user countries.


EWK GmbH Tel: +49 631 36 163 39 Fax: +49 631 36 163 00

Another of the company's products is the BSIA (bridge-set infantry assault) for bridge lengths of up to 44m. This system was developed for the British army where 20 sets are in service.

The Norwegian army recently received two prototypes of an aluminium-made lightweight bridge to be transported on the BV 206 Hagglund vehicle to help crossing short-span gaps.

EWK's product range includes all types of aluminium structure for armed forces, including fast-to-assemble reservoirs, transportation and storage tanks for fuel and stainless-steel portable water tanks. Its experience and competence in aluminium manufacturing techniques gives EWK a worldwide leading position. And newly developed automated welding techniques for special aluminium alloys prove EWK's expertise in this area.