BLT T-72

BLT T-72 is an Armoured vehicle-launched bridge (AVLB) also Known as Bridge Laying tank. It have been developed by CVRDE and R&DE (Engineers).

Chassis

It is based on T-72 MBT chassis, which was made under licence in India with turrent and main gun replaced by bridge launcher.

Bridge

BLT T-72 uses a scissors style bridge of Eastern European design such as Polish/East German BLG-60 and is deployed and recovered from the front of the vehicle similar to the Kartik BLT. It has optional configurations, viz. a 20m scissors bridge with a Military Load Class (MLC) 60 load classification (same mounted on Kartik BLT) or a 22m scissors bridge, with an MLC 70 load classification. The vehicle is fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) and Beta-light markers for night guidance. It also has the option of fitting a KMT-6 mine plough in the front.

Deployment

User trial was completed during 1996. A first limited series production order of 12 vehicles placed by The INDIAN Army are being executed at HVF, Avadi, Chennai.

Specification

• Crew: A team of 3 personnel, including the driver, with complete NBC protection.
• Length & Width: 22 metres span and 4 metres wide, with each track way 1.64 metres wide.
• Material: Light weight, high strength, weldable, self-ageing, aluminium zinc-magnesium alloy (RDE-40).
• Bridge Weight: 8800 kg (19,404 lbs).
• Launching: Electro Hydraulic (high pressure) scissoring type of launch.
• Launch Time: Approximately 3 to 5 minutes, using either manual or electronically launch.
• Modes of Launch: Manual, electro-mechanical and automatic.
• Armament: A machine gun for air DeFence and a multi-barrel smoke discharger.

See also

• Kartik BLT
• Arjun BLT
• Sarvatra
• AFFS
• Sakav