The M60 AVLB is a U.S.-origin armored bridge layer that replaces the M60/M60A1 tank turret with a launcher for a folding scissors bridge. Built for combat engineers moving armored columns across ditches, streams, trenches, and damaged crossings, the type gives Ukraine a tracked, protected assault-bridging vehicle documented in the March 2023 U.S. drawdown package and later Ukrainian-service reporting.
The United States announced Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges for Ukraine in the March 3, 2023 drawdown package, with a later DoD fact sheet listing eight AVLBs; subsequent reporting identified the systems as M60-based AVLBs, placed them in Ukrainian service with the 5th Tank Brigade, and documented Ukrainian M60 AVLB battlefield losses.
Role detailsThe M60 AVLB is an engineering vehicle, not a gun tank. Its value is the ability to bring a tracked bridge launcher forward with armored units, place an 18 m class scissors bridge from under armor, and then retrieve the bridge from either end after the crossing force has passed.
Designed for trenches, ditches, streams, damaged crossings, and other short tactical gaps that can halt armored movement.
Hydraulic scissors bridge launch from the front of the vehicle, with published emplacement times of roughly 2 to 5 minutes.
The March 2023 package grouped AVLBs with obstacle-clearing equipment, diagnostics, spare parts, and other field equipment for armored-vehicle operations.
The family is defined mainly by the tank chassis and bridge package, not by a direct-fire armament.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M60A1 AVLB | M60A1-hull bridge layer | Reference specifications describe the M60A1 AVLB as a two-crew vehicle using an M60A1 tank chassis, General Dynamics Land Systems manufacturer attribution, and Anniston Army Depot contractor support. Sources: FAS M60A1 AVLB, GlobalSecurity M60A1 AVLB Specifications |
| M60 AVLM | Mine-clearing line-charge adaptation | FAS describes the AVLM as an M60 AVLB with the bridge downloaded and up to two MICLICs mounted; Army reporting also identifies an M60 AVLM as the M60 AVLB-derived platform used by the 321st Engineer Battalion to fire MICLIC. Sources: FAS M60 AVLM, Army Idaho MICLIC Training |
The standard M60 AVLB is an assault bridge carrier, but the AVLM adaptation reused the AVLB vehicle as a protected MICLIC firing platform after the bridge was downloaded.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Rocket-projected linear demolition charge | FAS describes the M60 AVLM as an M60 AVLB-derived vehicle mounting up to two MICLICs, and Army reporting identifies an M60 AVLM firing the MICLIC weapon system during 321st Engineer Battalion training. Sources: FAS M60 AVLM, Army Idaho MICLIC Training |
The catalog treats the M60 AVLB separately from the M60A1 Patton because the bridge layer has a different combat-engineer role, crew arrangement, and mission payload. The shared chassis lineage matters for mobility and maintenance context, but the AVLB record is organized around assault bridging rather than tank armament.
AFV Database records 1964 as the first acceptance year for the AVLB M60A1 and lists 393 total acceptances in its vehicle table.
Sources: AFV Database M60A1 AVLB
FAS and GlobalSecurity reference data list February 1987 as the M60A1 AVLB introduction date and describe its Marine Corps inventory entry in the late 1980s.
Sources: FAS M60A1 AVLB, GlobalSecurity M60A1 AVLB Specifications
Army reporting stated that Anniston Army Depot performs M60-hull-to-AVLB configuration work and had repaired AVLB bridge elements and launch components since the mid-1990s.
Sources: Army Anniston AVLB and JAB Bridging Work
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges in a $400 million presidential drawdown package for Ukraine.
Sources: DOD Ukraine Security Assistance March 2023
A Department of Defense Ukraine security-assistance fact sheet listed eight Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges among U.S. commitments to Ukraine.
Sources: DOD Ukraine Security Assistance March 2023 Fact Sheet
The War Zone reported Pentagon confirmation that the AVLBs in the March 2023 Ukraine package were M60-based bridge layers.
Sources: The War Zone M60 AVLB Ukraine
Army Recognition reported photographs of M60 AVLBs with Ukraine's 5th Tank Brigade and linked the vehicles to the earlier U.S. aid commitment.
Sources: Army Recognition Ukrainian M60 AVLBs
