M1977 HEMTT Common Bridge Transporter (CBT)The M1977 HEMTT Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) is one of the US Military family of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT). General information about the HEMTT series is found on the linked page. The common bridge transporter has four primary missions:
The CBT is a modified M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System (LHS), which is a HEMTT cargo truck with a Palletized Load System (PLS) style load handling system. It has special flatracks for carrying bridge components, like the M15 Bridge Adaptor Pallet (BAP) and the M14 Improved Boat Cradle (IBC). The flatracks allow the CBT to transport and transload on to a PLS trailer. Every bridge load is palletized so that any CBT or PLS-compatible vehicle could carry, deliver, or reposition palletized bridge loads. The M1977 Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) also carries Ribbon Bridge Interior Bays, Ramp Bays and Bridge Erection Boats. The NSNs for the HEMTT M1977 CBT variants are:
US Army Multirole Bridge Companies (MRBCs)The Common Bridge Transporter is an essential component of the Army's new Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC). The MRBC combines the roles of previous float and fixed bridge companies to perform their missions with less manpower and greater flexibility. In early 2003, the U.S. Army Program Manager for Bridging began fielding two new bridge systems to the MRBCs:
Both bridge systems are integral components of the MRBC’s objective capability. The Army designed MRBCs to give commanders a flexible and adaptable unit that can accomplish both float- and fixed-bridge missions. The MRBCs are 100 percent mobile -- every bridge load has a prime mover -- and take advantage of product standardization. The Army ordered 498 HEMTT M1977 Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) trucks in 2001 to upgrade the MRBCs as the trucks were delivered in 2002-2006. The 459th Engineer Company was the first unit in the Army to receive the CBT.
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