View source for M3 Amphibious Rig

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M3 Amphibious Rig
| image              = M3G ferry 2.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = M3 of the [[German Army]]
| origin             = [[Germany]]
| type               = [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[bridging vehicle]]
| is_vehicle         = yes
| service            = 1999<ref name="EWK">[http://www.global-defence.com/2000/pages/ewk.html Global Defence - EWK] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702225147/http://www.global-defence.com/2000/pages/ewk.html |date=2 July 2008 }}</ref>
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
| wars               = [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]
| designer           = Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern (now [[General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems]])
| design_date        = 1982–1990s
| manufacturer       = [[General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems]]|
| production_date    = 1994–present<ref name=Amphiclophy />
| number             = 
| variants           = 
| weight             = approx. {{convert|28|t|lb}}<ref name=EWK />
| length             = {{convert|13.03|m|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=brochure />
| width              = {{convert|3.35|m|in|abbr=on}} with side pontoons folded, {{convert|6.57|m|in|abbr=on}} with side pontoons unfolded<ref name=brochure />
| height             = {{convert|3.97|m|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=brochure />
| crew               = 2–3
| engine             = Diesel
| engine_power       = {{cvt|298|kW|hp}}<ref name=brochure />
| transmission       = 
| fuel_capacity      = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|750|km|mi|abbr=on}} on internal fuel, over land<ref name=brochure />
| speed              = {{convert|80|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on land, {{convert|14|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in water<ref name=brochure />
}}

The '''M3 Amphibious Rig''' is a self-propelled, [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] [[bridging vehicle]] and ferrying vehicle that is used for the transportation of tanks and other vehicles across water obstacles.

==Development and service==
Originally developed by the [[Germany|German]] firm Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern<ref name="EWK"/> (EWK, since 2002 acquired by [[General Dynamics]] European Land Systems), it succeeded the conceptually similar M2 made by the same company. Like its predecessor, the M3 traverses roads on its four wheels, deploying two large aluminium pontoons for buoyancy on water. 

The M3 is {{Convert|1.4|m|ft}} longer and {{Convert|3300|kg|lb|abbr=on}} heavier than the M2, with the M3 having a turn diameter of {{Convert|24|m|ft}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/equipment/engineering-equipment/m3-amphibious-bridging-vehicle/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=British Army}}</ref>

Development of the M3 began in 1982, with the final prototype being delivered 10 years later in 1992.<ref name="Amphiclophy">[http://www.amphibiousvehicle.net/amphi/D_E.html The Amphiclophy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121184409/http://www.amphibiousvehicle.net/amphi/D_E.html |date=2008-11-21 }}</ref> A first order of 64 serial vehicles was made in 1994,<ref name=Amphiclophy /> and it entered service with the [[German Army|German]] and [[British Army|British]] armies<ref name=EWK /> in 1996. Since then, the M3 has also been adopted by several NATO and allied nations.

==Operating concept==
The M3 is self-deployable by road, operating as a [[4x4]] wheeled vehicle with a maximum road speed of {{Convert|80|km/h}}. For amphibious operation, two large aluminium pontoons are deployed, unfolding them along the length of its hull.  The crew exits the vehicle cab to maneuver the pontoon using controls located on top of the hull. In water, the M3 is propelled at speeds of up to {{Convert|14|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} by two [[Pump-jet|pump jets]] that can be steered in 360-degrees.<ref name="brochure">{{cite web|url=http://www.gdsbs.de/fileadmin/pdf/prospekt_m3.pdf|title=gdsbs.de|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref>

Multiple rigs can be joined together using long ramps, three of which are carried on each vehicle, to form a bridge or a ferry that can be used to cross a water obstacle. Eight M3 Rigs can be used to create a {{Convert|100|m|4=-long|adj=mid}} bridge which can be traversed by vehicles up to and including the heaviest {{Convert|60|t|lb|adj=on}} [[main battle tank]] like the [[Leopard 2A6]] and [[Challenger 2]].<ref name=":0" /> Alternatively, just two M3 Rigs may be joined to create a ferry capable of carrying a similar load across much wider water gaps.

==Combat history==
===Operation Telic===
The M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle saw its first combat actions in [[Operation Telic]], Britain's military operations in the [[Iraq War]] (until withdrawal in 2011). From 25 March 2003, 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron, of [[28 Engineer Regiment (United Kingdom)|28 Engineer Regiment]] of the [[Royal Engineers]] ferried elements of [[3 Commando Brigade]] across the [[Shatt Al-Basrah]] waterway,<ref name="Brits">{{cite web|url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf2/Weapon.html|title=www.britains-smallwars.com - Web site hosted by Freeola.com|work=britains-smallwars.com|accessdate=11 April 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815005617/http://britains-smallwars.com/gulf2/Weapon.html|archivedate=15 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> enabling their continued advance on the Iraqi city of [[Basra]].<ref name="Marines">{{cite web|url=http://www.onceamarinealwaysamarine.co.uk/539telic.htm|title=Login Required - Once A Marine|work=onceamarinealwaysamarine.co.uk|accessdate=11 April 2015}}</ref> A subsequent riverine crossing at the [[Rumaila oil field]]s was also undertaken by the M3. This action transported three [[AS90]] self-propelled howitzers in support of [[16 Air Assault Brigade]] of the British Army.<ref name=Brits />

==Operators==
[[File:General Dynamics M3 (8662927563).jpg|thumb|Brazilian M3 Amphibious Rig]]
[[File:NATO Bridging Operation In Germany MOD 45162595.jpg|thumb|British M3 Amphibious Rig in Minden, Germany during a joint UK/German Bridging Operation.]]
===Current===
*{{GER}} - [[German Army]] (operators have included Pionierbataillon 140 at Emmerich; now remains with 130th Armored Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 130)), 30 vehicles in service 
*{{GBR}} - [[British Army]] 
*{{IDN}} - [[Indonesian Army]]
*{{ROC-TW}} - [[Republic of China Army]]
*{{SIN}} - [[Singapore Army]]
*{{ROK}} - [[South Korean Army]]<ref name="janes">{{Cite web|title=More details emerge about RoKA's acquisition of M3K amphibious rigs |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/more-details-emerge-about-rokas-acquisition-of-m3k-amphibious-rigs|access-date=2022-05-14|website=janes.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
*{{LAT}} - [[Latvian Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/gdels-will-supply-amphibious-bridge-and-ferry-syst/ |title=GDELS to supply Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System to Latvia |website=shephardmedia.com |date=2021-12-22 }}</ref>
*{{SWE}} - [[Swedish Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/sweden-orders-interoperable-bridging-equipment/ |title=Sweden orders interoperable bridging equipment |website=shephardmedia.com |date=2022-06-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FMV tecknar kontrakt på flytbroar |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/fmv-tecknar-kontrakt-pa-flytbroar/ |website=www.fmv.se |publisher=Försvarsmaktens Materiel Verket |access-date=5 July 2022 |language=sv}}</ref> 34 vehicles ordered <ref>{{cite web |title=FMV tar emot amfibiebro 400 |url=https://www.fmv.se/aktuellt--press/aktuella-handelser/fmv-tar-emot-amfibiebro-400/ |website=FMV |publisher=Försvarets Materielverk |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=sv}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Slovakia}} - [[Slovak Armed Forces]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Poláček |first=Peter |date=2023 |title=Vesmírna obrana ako výzva pre Ozbrojené sily Slovenskej republiky |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.52651/nmb.c.2023.9788080406516.370-378 |journal=Národná a medzinárodná bezpečnosť |pages=370–378 |publisher=Akadémia ozbrojených síl generála Milana Rastislava Štefánika |doi=10.52651/nmb.c.2023.9788080406516.370-378|isbn=978-80-8040-651-6 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Future===
*{{UKR}} - [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stöckl |first=Benedikt |date=2023-03-15 |title=Dutch to send minehunters, drone detection systems to Ukraine |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/dutch-to-send-minehunters-drone-detection-systems-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Ollongren zegt Oekraïne mijnenjagers toe bij bezoek aan gebombardeerde havensteden - Nieuwsbericht |url=https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/03/14/ollongren-zegt-oekraine-mijnenjagers-toe-bij-bezoek-aan-gebombardeerde-havensteden |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Defensie.nl |publisher=Ministerie van Defensie |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
*{{Flag|Spain}} - [[Spanish Army]] from 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=This is the M3, the advanced self-propelled modular bridge that the Army will buy for its pontooners |url=https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5278017/asi-m3-puente-modular-pontones-anfibios-autopropulsado |website=www.infodefensa.com |access-date=30 May 2025 |language=es}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[M104 Wolverine]]
* [[M60 AVLB]]
* [[M1074 Joint Assault Bridge]]
* SAMUR Assault Bridge (TUR)

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|M3 Amphibious Rig}}
*[http://www.gdsbs.de/index.php?id=14&L=1 General Dynamics European Land Systems - M3 Amphibian]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:Military engineering vehicles]]
[[Category:Military bridging equipment]]
[[Category:Amphibious military vehicles]]
[[Category:Cold War military vehicles of Germany]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Portable bridges]]