The Heavy Short Trackway Bridge (HSTB) is the simple and flexible solution for partially automated bridge-building in areas inaccessible to heavy machinery design by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. Thanks to the container solution, the HSTB equipment kit can be installed or removed as the carrier vehicle requires. This modular, light bridge concept is above all suitable for use in rough and confined areas which can barely be reached with larger and heavier vehicles. With its full-fledged MLC-40 bridges, this sophisticated modular system offers the simplest handling with the lowest stowage volume. Thanks to the weight-optimised design, the bridges can also be laid by many 4×4 APCs or smaller tracked vehicles.
The HSTB can be laid by the crew with vehicle support using a simple laying system. Whether attached to the trailer or cargo area, the equipment kit is supplied in the mission container with standardised fastening interface and can be assembled to the bridge within minutes. This is only carried along if a bridge has to be built, and if it is not required, the carrier system is free for other mission equipment as needed.If needed, an additional lane with a load carrying capacity of up to MLC 4(W) / 8(T) can be added to reduce the lane width so that narrower vehicles can also cross the bridge. The laying system is attached to a universal interface available on the vehicle and is supplied with power by the primary power system.
