Air Portable Ferry Bridge (APFB)
The Air Portable Ferry Bridge (APFB) is used by Royal Engineer Light Forces.
It is usually transported on 8 x DROPS pallets, but it can be reconfigured to allow it to be flown forward on Fly Forward Trailers (FFT), underslung beneath a support helicopter.
The APRFB has been used on Operations in Afghanistan. The equipment is capable of being configured into four different bridges and a ferry.
APFB Over Bridge (OB)
An APFB (OB) can be constructed by a Royal Engineer Filed Section. If required it can be transported on 6 Fly forward Trailers (FFT)
APFB Fly Fly Forward (FF)
The APFB Fly Forward (FF) is configured on 6 x Fly Forward Trailers (FFT), which allows it to be moved by support helicopters, and then towed by long wheelbase land rovers or other vehicles once on the ground.
APFB Single Storey (SS)
The ABPF Single Storey(SS) can be constructed by a Royal Engineer Field Troop. It is generally transported on DROPS pallets.
APFB Single Storey Reinforced (SSR)
The APFB can be constructed with reinforcing link to enable a greater load to be carried.
APFB (Ferry) (FY)
The Air Portable Ferry Bridge (APFB) Ferry (FY) is a self propelled roll-on, roll-off ferry. It can transport wheeled and light tracked vehicles.
The bridge is constructed on a standard building frame and then boomed onto six pontoons, where it is secured.
The pontoons have two water propulsion units, which are used to steer the ferry. The engines that are used to power the propulsion units are also used to operate the hydraulic rams, which raise and lower the two ramps.
APFB Safety Line System
The APFB includes a safety line system designed to protect the user in the event of a fall from the bridge. It uses a static line and fall arresters attached to the in service demolition harness and is designed for use during ramping, decking and positioning kerbs.