Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a lightweight, portable, rapid deploying hinged bridge system. Existing mobile bridges are big, heavy, expensive, armored and transported by Abrams class vehicles. The PSI solution provides gap crossing for a new era of smaller independent vehicles without committing large dedicated resources. PSIs mobile Lightweight Foldable/Expandable (LIFE) bridge solution is transported within weight and volume constraints or towing capacity of the MTVR. The LIFE bridge can be deployed and retrieved within 5 minutes, and can support loads for MLC-60 standards to span a 15 m gap.
Benefit: Existing solutions for mobile gap crossings are developed for large scale military mobilization operations using heavy, armored, expensive equipment. There is an emerging need for mobile lighter weight solutions with less commitment of specialized vehicle assets and personnel that still provide rapid access for smaller scaled missions. The proposed solution will provide gap crossing access to smaller teams with faster lighter vehicles with a larger scoped vision to provide overlapping applications to UGV systems. The proposed system will be designed for a final product capability for unmanned operation. The stowed system volume can be transported within MTVR and air transport cargo constraints. Commercial applications extend to emergency and disaster support operations where flooding, earthquake, coastal storms, etc., can wash out roads and bridges to deny essential supplies to stranded civilians.
Keywords: Transportable, Transportable, rapid, Composite, temporary, Structure, BRIDGE, Lightweight, deployable
