The OTTER AAAB (Turkey: SAMUR SYHK) is a Turkish amphibious bridge and ferry system designed for rapid and safe wide wet gap crossing operations. The OTTER is designed for rapid and safe wide wet gap crossing operations. The futures of the OTTER when compared with the similar systems are; 8×8 drive system with all wheel steering, 4ea ramp carrying capacity, ballistic protected crew cabin and positive pressure NBC protection system. The vehicle also has a front and rear cameras to enhance situational awareness and adjustable ride height control suspension system which provides a better maneuverability in cross country.
The OTTER AAAB has two water pump jets that provides high maneuverability at water operations. The system can operate in water currents up to 2.5 m/s. As a ferry, the OTTER system can transport a MLC 21 tracked vehicle. Two bay ferry OTTER is capable of carrying MLC70 T vehicles. By deploying the ramps, which are carried by AAAB’s hydraulic crane, by coupling three OTTERs from ramp to ramp MLC100 W vehicles can be transported on rivers or lakes. When 12 each OTTER systems coupled together from ramp to ramp, it can form a 150 m bridge with a capacity of crossing to MLC100 W and MLC70 T vehicles. For specific missions numerous OTTERs can be coupled together to cross wider distances. OTTER system is also fitted with a self-recovery winch, automatic fire suppression system, emergency anchor and easy fault detection with CAN-BUS system.
The Armored Amphibious Assault Bridge (AAAB) uses an 8×8 chassis based on the PARS 8×8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier. The system, different from the similar systems in the market, has an 8×8 drive system with a central tire inflation system. The vehicle is motorized with a German Deutz turbocharged diesel engine, developing 522 hp, coupled to a fully automatic transmission with six forward and one reverse gears and a two speed transfer case. On road, the AAAB can reach a maximum speed of 50 km/h with a maximum road range of 600 km. With its diesel engine, automatic transmission, pneumatic suspension and hydraulic brake system, the AAAB system can climb up to 50% gradient, move on 30% side slope and cross a trench of maximum 2m. With its diesel engine, automatic transmission, pneumatic suspension and hydraulic brake system, the AAAB system can climb up to 50% gradient and move on 30% side slope.
As nationally designed and developed amphibious bridge system in Turkey, The OTTER AAAB system has some additional specifications among its kind. It can carry 4 ramps on a single system. AAAB system has also standard anchoring system (both emergency and land anchoring systems), ballistic protection, and easy fault detection with CAN system. Four training sets of Amphibious Assault Bridge, delivered to Turkish Land Forces Command in September 2011, were subjected to challenging durability tests for land and sea tasks during 10 months and succeeded such tests. Being under mass production phase, 52 AAAB vehicles are planned to be delivered to the Turkish Land Forces Command.
