Introducing the new Combat Engineers' floating bridge
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summised from cyberpioneer
New floating bridge unveiled
Good things usually come in pairs and this was certainly true for the Singapore Combat Engineers on 24 Apr.
They celebrated their 40th anniversary at the Floating Platform at Marina Bay, and also unveiled two new platforms - the new-generation float bridge and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence capability.
The German-made M3G Float Bridge acquired to replace the existing fleet of ageing float bridges in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is a high-mobility wheeled vehicle which can be opened up as a mobile platform for crossing waterways.
In use since last year, the M3G takes only 20 minutes to construct a bridge, unlike its predecessors, the Comet and Almond, which take up to 30 and 50 minutes respectively.
Only eight men are needed to operate the M3G, and its amphibious capability will aid the combat engineers more in their operations.
Relating his experience in operating the new floating equipment, Master Warrant (MWO) Ow Ken Loon said: "This new M3G is of high performance, and it's much improved, compared to the previous equipment that we have.
"It's highly mechanised and easy to operate," added the Brigade Sergeant Major of Headquarters Army Combat Engineers (HQ ARMCEG). "It reduces manpower and time, which results in faster deployment."
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean was at Marina Bay to commission the new equipment. He also took a ride on the M3G.
He said: "It's a modular and very flexible piece of equipment which can be built into a bridge and also be used as a raft.
"It's more modernised and more manoeuvrable, and it's a more powerful piece of equipment," added Mr Teo, comparing the floating bridge to the current bridges in the SAF.
"It should be able to serve our purpose well." -
i am from CBRE DG! i got take part in the parade!
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oh no...Almond no more!
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i think my fellow field pioneers and i can retire lah
no need us to clear minefields...
just ask the mcv to do it lah -
don't worry they are not totally phase out yet.Originally posted by Xcert:oh no...Almond no more! 
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LOL! They STILL can manage to equip the Almond sufficiently? LOL!
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Erm... is it just me, or are there just four wheels on the vehicle?
Wouldn't having fewer wheels increase ground pressure?
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not to worry. those wheels are huge.Originally posted by fudgester:Erm... is it just me, or are there just four wheels on the vehicle?
Wouldn't having fewer wheels increase ground pressure? 
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Yeah maybe, but I'd feel a lot better if it had eight wheels or something. Spread the load out over a larger surface area.Originally posted by Gordonator:not to worry. those wheels are huge. -
fudgester
u shld see hw BIG/GIGANTIC/ENORMOUS dis stupid multi - million dollar baby cost...
i forgot how much it cost alr...
but it's damn ex...
n gordonator...
almond alr phased out...
no longer usin it in case of war...
i'm still active in HQ Armceg..
n i was one of those dat welcome dat big monster...
n also saw from 2 of the monster multiply to a couple more...
it's actually a very steady equipment SAF has bought,
if have a chance, shld have a ride on it...
no sea sick... ok, maybe there wasn't current n it was enclosed lake when i was on it...
it's fast speed too...
this equipment cn turn 360deg at high speed on water...
it's like the agility level on water very high...
the wheels have hydraulics too...
MWO Ow is my BSM, Friendly person by the way...
respect him alot...
cos he speaks reason...
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the wheels are designed to deflate (at the press of a button) to increase surface contact on soft ground and inflate (again at the press of a button) when travel on type X roads.Originally posted by fudgester:Erm... is it just me, or are there just four wheels on the vehicle?
Wouldn't having fewer wheels increase ground pressure?
they can also be kept continuously inflated and carry on moving even when punctured. much like James Bonds' BMW.
Germans..... -
so Candace still around?
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think they are still going to be around for a while cos even they are old and downgraded, this is the only equipment that wont fail mechanically (eg hydraulics) or electrically.Originally posted by Xcert:so Candace still around? -
Amen to the Candace guys.Originally posted by KamenRider:think they are still going to be around for a while cos even they are old and downgraded, this is the only equipment that wont fail mechanically (eg hydraulics) or electrically.
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looks like a giant OD subway sandwich on wheels!