BISMARCK, N.D., - The North Dakota National Guard’s 957th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge Company) was the first Army unit to train on a new bridge anchorage system in a fully operational scenario on the Missouri River, south of Bismarck, during their two-week annual training.
The Missouri River was selected as an ideal location to test this system because of its fast moving current and width.
The training began with a weeklong 40-hour stretch of classroom instruction on the Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) followed by a practical exercise with the equipment and bridge on Thursday. The 210-meter bridge span was left in place overnight and observed before the Soldiers and trainers disassembled it today.
“This is unique because the 957th is not only training on new equipment, but is participating in an important operational assessment of a new anchorage system that has never been used to bridge waters with currents as fast as the Missouri River over a span of 200 meters,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, who observed the assessment.
“Our Soldiers’ feedback from the user perspective will enable program managers to incorporate final adjustments prior to final production and distribution to military bridging units.”
After the bridge span was emplaced, several tests were performed. Testing of the forward lateral movement of the bridge was accomplished by driving a 35-ton Common Bridge Transporter (CBT) truck loaded with a MKII Bridge Erection Boat (BEB). Crossing at a top speed of 35 mph, the truck then performed an emergency “braking stop.”
During a total of 10 crossings, minimal forward movement of the system was observed.
Another key evaluation tested for side deflection. After ten MKII BEBs were attached on the downstream side of the bridge, they applied full reverse throttle thrust in order to induce a tremendous side load pull. Little side deflection or shore guy cable movement or loosing was observed. Only minimal adjustments were required to the cabling.
Preliminary observations of these evaluations indicated that this new anchorage system successfully accomplished its designed mission.
“The 957th MRBC served a critical role in determining the mission effectiveness and safety of this sorely needed and long overdue system,” said Keith Powell, assistant product manager tactical bridging for Product Manager Bridging. “The 957th and the great state of North Dakota were strategically selected for this assessment and are at the tip of the spear in this war and Soldier support effort,” he added.
Following removal of all the equipment today, the 957th MRBC and the various agencies responsible for evaluating this bridging system, will conduct a detailed after action review. Suggestions for adjustments and improvements to the hardware and the operational employment and disassembly techniques, tactics and procedures will be discussed and considered for inclusion before final production and delivery to the force.
Once deemed ready, the new anchorage system is targeted for immediate movement and delivery to Afghanistan, to address urgent war fighter operational needs for improved anchorage capability.
The new “Thrust and Shore Guy” cable system is designed for use with the IRB. It is targeted to fully replace the older “Overhead Tower System,” the 1950s vintage anchorage technologies currently used when employing the older bridge system currently in use by the military.
The system was designed for the IRB but is desired and targeted for multiple dry and wet gap systems. This new anchorage system was designed to be more permanent and is easier and faster to install, which is paramount for Soldiers employing it in war fighter operations.
This new anchorage system was designed by the IRB prime contractor, General Dynamics European Land Systems - Germany. Overseeing the event, providing data collection efforts, as well as additional safety oversight were members from various government offices and agencies.
Supporting agencies include Product Manager Bridging, Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), TACOM Research, Development and Engineer Center (TARDEC), Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the National Guard Bureau.