Australian shipbuilder Birdon will deliver three next-generation Bridge Erection Boats to the Australian Army to support military river and wet-gap crossings.
The vessels maneuver and stabilize floating bridge sections and rafts, creating temporary crossings for troops, vehicles, and equipment when permanent bridges are unavailable or damaged.
Birdon said it has already manufactured the three vessels at its Bridge Erection Boat facility.
Powered by two NAMJet mass-flow waterjets, the vessel can exceed 28 knots (52 kilometers/32 miles per hour).
Its shallow draft allows it to operate in rivers and coastal waters, including areas that may be inaccessible to larger vessels.
A standard crew consists of a driver and a rigger.
However, the boat can also operate without personnel onboard through a navigation and control system that enables remote operation.
Available functions include joystick steering, automatic station keeping, and remote operation.
Over Two Decades of Development
The acquisition brings an updated version of the bridging boat Birdon first developed for the Australian Army in 2003.
That program delivered 24 vessels, which the company continues to support through maintenance, upgrades, spare parts, and the replacement of obsolete components.
Birdon subsequently adapted the Australian design for international customers, including military forces in the US, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
According to the company, it has manufactured more than 540 bridge erection boats and associated systems for military customers worldwide.
Birdon said the latest design requires fewer boats than older bridging systems while providing greater control and faster deployment.
