DRDO Sarvatra

Sarvatra Bridge System
Sarvatra Bridging System at Republic Day
Type	Armored vehicle-launched bridge
Place of origin	India
Service history
In service	2000–present
Production history
Manufacturer	BEML Limited Dantal Hydraulics Defence Research and Development Organisation Larsen and Toubro Oscar Equipments
No. built	50
Variants	15M Sarvatra Bridge System 20M Sarvatra Bridge System
Specifications
Length	15 metres (49 ft 3 in) 20 metres (65 ft 7 in)
Width	4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Height	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) to 6 m (19 ft 8 in) (adjustable)
Crew	4
Engine	TVML T 3-B / T 3-C series V8 turbocharged multi-fuel with intercooler 235 horsepower (175 kW) to 368 horsepower (274 kW)
Payload capacity	1× scissors-type folding bridge (22 tonne)
Transmission	Non-synchronized manual, 10 forward + 2 reverse gears
Suspension	Leaf spring and air suspension with telescopic shock absorbers
Operational range	~800 km
Maximum speed	80 km/h (50 mph) to 90 km/h (56 mph)

The DRDO Sarvatra also known as Sarvatra Multi-span Mobile Bridge System is a truck-mounted, multi-span, mobile bridging system developed by Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE) and Research and Development Establishment (R&DE) Engineers of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian army. Its nodal production agency is Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Bangalore.

Description

The Sarvatra is a 75 meters long multi-span mobile bridging system consisting of five scissors bridges made of aluminum alloy with a span of 15 meters each mounted on separate mobile platforms. Each mobile platform is a modified Tatra T-815 VVN 8 x 8 chassis, drivable from both ends by having an additional small cabin with required driving controls. Further, a microprocessor based control system is utilised to deploy and operationalise the entire system in less than two and half hours.

When the 15 meter long scissors bridge is opened out it is fitted with adjustable trestles to enable a number of units to be used to bridge wet and dry gaps. All five sections are laid to provide a total bridge length of 75 m providing a roadway of four meters. The bridge is launched/recovered from either end. With the help of telescopic legs, the height of the bridge is adjusted from 2.5 m to 6 m so that it is not easily visible from afar.

The Sarvatra project was sanctioned in 1994 and completed development in October 1999 at a total cost of ₹230,000,000. It was approved for production in March 2000 after trials. The Sarvatra will replace the East European PMS Bridges in the service of the Indian army, which requires 57 Tatra vehicles to bridge 100 meters. In contrast, the Sarvatra, with just five Tatra trucks, bridges 75 meters. At ₹600,000,000 per set, the PMS costs almost three times as much as a Sarvatra.

A 20 m variant of Sarvatra bridge system capable of bridging a gap of 100 meters have also been developed.

Operators

India

• Indian Army : 110 units (22 sets) of 15M Sarvatra Bridge System variant on order.

Specifications

• Load Class: MLC–70
• Single Span Length:
  • 15 m
  • 20 m
• Multi-Span Capability:
  • 75 m
  • 100 m
• Roadway Width: 3.45 m during transportation; 4 m during use
• Span Height: 2.6 m to 6 m
• Construction time: 15 minutes
• Crew: 1 specialized driver + 3 combat engineers

See also

• Kartik BLT
• CEASE

External links

• Sarvatra mobile platform
• DRDO Sarvatra - Specifications
• Sarvatra Bridge system