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{{Infobox weapon
|is_vehicle         = yes
|type               = [[Armoured vehicle-launched bridge]]
|origin             = [[Czechoslovakia]]
|name               = MT-55A armoured bridgelayer
| image              = MT-55 Militärtag - Uffenheim - 2015 .jpg
| image_size         = 250
|caption            = MT-55 at speed in [[Uffenheim]] in 2015
|length             = 9,880 mm (with span)
|width              = 3,300 mm (with span)
|height             = 3,350 mm (with span)
|weight             = 36.0 tonnes
|suspension         = [[Torsion bar]]
|speed              = 50 km/h
|vehicle_range      = 580 km (On roads)
|primary_armament   =
|secondary_armament =
|armour             =
|engine             = V-55 12-cyl. 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel
|crew               = 2 (commander, driver)
|engine_power       = 580 hp (430 kW)
|pw_ratio           = 14 hp/tonne
}}

The '''MT-55A''' ({{langx|sk|Mostný tank}}) is an [[armoured vehicle-launched bridge]] (AVLB) tank, manufactured by [[Závody ťažkého strojárstva Martin|ZŤS Martin]] in [[Slovakia]]. The AVLB is based on a [[T-54/T-55|T-55A]] [[medium tank]] chassis, with the turret detached and replaced by a special bridge launching equipment.<ref name='GS1'>{{cite news | title =T-54 / T-55 Series Tanks | url =http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/t-54.htm | work =GlobalSecurity | accessdate =2007-06-07 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070617203832/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/t-54.htm | archive-date =2007-06-17 | url-status =live }}</ref>

The MT-55A was produced for the armies of the [[Warsaw Pact]] (including the [[Soviet Army]]), as well as for export clients.

== Design and development ==
[[Image:Bundeswehrmuseum Dresden 68.jpg|thumb|upright|BLG-60M2 at the Bundeswehrmuseum Dresden.]]
The MT-55, Base T-55, was designed and produced by ZŤS Martin from 1962 (the former Czechoslovakia was one of the countries that build the T-54/55 series under licence). The development phase ended in 1967 after which five pre-series vehicles were built. The MT-55A, Base T-55A, series production started in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://img.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/title/CZK-MT-55A-mostni-tank/t/10857 |title=CZK - MT-55A (Mostní tank) : Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) |access-date=2019-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190357/http://img.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/title/CZK-MT-55A-mostni-tank/t/10857 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The transformed T-55A chassis differs by the arrangement of the compartments in the hull. The bridge tank is proposed for an easy and swift crossing of [[antitank]] barriers (trenches) and other obstacles with the purpose of facilitating the passage of mechanised and tank units.<ref name='GS1'/>

The bridge initiating equipment is controlled by a system of [[hydraulic]] cylinders; the allocation of [[hydraulic oil]] can be controlled both manually by mechanical levers and automatically. The pressure of the liquid is provided by high-pressure piston pumps motorized by the tank [[engine]]. All mechanisms of the MT-55A used for laying and recovering the bridge can be controlled by the crew from inside the tank with the hatch covers closed.<ref name='GS1'/><ref name='MOD1'>{{cite news | title =Bridge Tank MT-55A | url =http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=6076 | work =Ministry of Defence of Czech Republic | accessdate =2007-06-07 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070926232340/http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=6076 | archive-date =2007-09-26 | url-status =live }}</ref>

To begin the launching process, the vehicle stops short of the gap; then, the bridge swings ahead and down while its two sections open like scissors.<ref name='GS1'/> The MT-55A span is 18 meters long and can support loads of up to 50 tons. Later, the MT-55A was modified with a gap measuring mechanism and infrared equipment for bridge laying in darkness.

Total production of the MT-55A between 1969 and 1983 amounted to 1,762 vehicles, including 183 export versions '''MT-55KS''' (from 1971) and 458[17] hulls for East Germany's [[T-55 variants#East Germany|BLG-60]] programme.

==Variants==
* '''MT-55''' - Pre-series model, equipped with the bridge of the [[T-34|MT-34]] bridge-layer. In Western sources, this model is often erroneously referred to as the '''MT-55L''' with "long" bridge.
* '''MT-55A''' - Standard model, as described.
* '''MT-55KS''' (''Kapitalstické Státy'') - Export model for "capitalist" non-Warsaw Pact countries. Based on the [[T-55A]] without radiation protection layer both otherwise similar.
* '''PM-55''' (''Přepravník Mostu'') - Wheeled version, based on a [[Tatra 813|Tatra 813 "Kolos"]] 8x8 truck.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/13328 |title=CZK - PM-55 (Přepravník náhradního mostového pole) : Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) |access-date=2019-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108014917/http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/13328 |archive-date=2014-01-08 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Operators==
* {{flag|Belarus}} - MT-55A
* {{flag|Egypt}}<ref>[http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Egypt.pdf The Arab Republic of Egypt, Tel Aviv University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224132431/http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Egypt.pdf |date=2007-02-24 }}</ref> - MT-55KS
* {{flag|Croatia}} - MT-55A<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n83/Dan12345_2006/doc0072.jpg|title=Image|website=i110.photobucket.com|access-date=6 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Czech Republic}}<ref name='MOD1'/> - MT-55A
* {{flag|Georgia}}<ref name='GEO1'>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff/slavic/pdfs/army1099.pdf |title=Army & Society in Georgia |access-date=2007-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610110238/http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff/slavic/pdfs/army1099.pdf |archive-date=2007-06-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> - MT-55A
* {{flag|India}} - MT-55KS, known as '''Bridge Laying Tank MT-55'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=MsOFU3dQt/s=&ParentID=MxMOr7Ttp9I= |title=Official Website of Indian Army |website=indianarmy.nic.in |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008170325/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=MsOFU3dQt/s=&ParentID=MxMOr7Ttp9I= |archive-date=8 October 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}} - MT-55KS
* {{flag|Israel}}: The [[Israeli Defence Forces]] (IDF) were able to capture a small number of MT-55KSs from their [[Arab world|Arab]] counterparts and used them with some small modifications.<ref name='IDF1'>[http://www.idf-armour-group.org/vehicle_info_page_tiran.htm History of the Tiran in IDF service], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915090425/http://www.idf-armour-group.org/vehicle_info_page_tiran.htm |date=2014-09-15 }}</ref> Most of them were captured on the Southern front (Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula) during the [[Six day war]].
* {{flag|Myanmar}}:MT-55A<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2020 |date=14 February 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0367466398 |page=296 |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref>[http://www.dia.mil/publicaffairs/Foia/nkor.pdf NORTH KOREA COUNTRY HANDBOOK, MARINE CORPS INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITY] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411071931/http://www.dia.mil/publicaffairs/Foia/nkor.pdf |date=2007-04-11 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rft.forter.ro/2010_1_i/10-stiri/00.htm |title=Romanian Land Forces Magazine |access-date=2019-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306144226/http://www.rft.forter.ro/2010_1_i/10-stiri/00.htm |archive-date=2012-03-06 |url-status=live }}</ref> - MT-55A
* {{flag|Russia}} - MT-55A, known as '''MTU-55'''<ref name='GEO1'/>
* {{flag|Serbia}}<ref>[http://stef124.tripod.com/mt55.htm Serbian Armoured] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208124519/http://stef124.tripod.com/mt55.htm |date=2007-12-08 }}</ref> - MT-55A
* {{flag|Slovakia}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/Russe/Slovaquie/Slovaquie_Choix_materiel.htm |title=Slovakia, ArmyRecognition |access-date=2007-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403124342/http://www.armyrecognition.com/Russe/Slovaquie/Slovaquie_Choix_materiel.htm |archive-date=2007-04-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> - MT-55A
* {{flag|Slovenia}}
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}} - In 2000, the [[Sri Lanka Army]] bought eight MT-55As from the [[Czech Republic]] along with 40 T-55AM2 tanks, 16 VT-55 recovery vehicles, three mobile workshop vehicles, 12 [[Tatra T815]] tank transporters and several [[RM-70]] 122&nbsp;mm multiple rocket launchers.<ref name='SAFE1'>[http://www.saferworld.org.uk/images/pubdocs/Beast%20CzechRep.pdf Saferworld's research project on arms and security in EU Associate Countries, Czech Republic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002020701/http://www.saferworld.org.uk/images/pubdocs/Beast%20CzechRep.pdf |date=2008-10-02 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Syria}}<ref>[http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Syria.pdf The Arab Republic of Syria, Tel Aviv University] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523183414/http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Syria.pdf |date=2006-05-23 }}</ref> - MT-55A/KS
* {{flag|Ukraine}} - MT-55A

[[Image:MT-55-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|MT-55KS bridgelayer in [[Yad La-Shiryon]] Museum, Israel.]]

== See also ==
* Germany: [[Leopard 2#Panzerschnellbrücke 2|Panzerschnellbrücke 2]], based on the Leopard 2 MBT.
* Russia: [[T-72|MTU-72 AVLB]], based on the T-72 MBT.
* [[M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB)|M60A1 AVLB]], based on the M60 MBT
* [[T-55 variants#East Germany|BLG-60]], based on T-55

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
17 ^https://www.grada.cz/ceskoslovenske-tankove-sily-1945-1992-6708/ Site 146

== External links ==
{{Commons|MT-55 bridgelayer}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070614114202/http://panzermodelkit.valka.cz/bridgeaj.htm Panzermodelkit: Bridging tank MT-55A]
* [http://img.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/title/CZK-MT-55A-mostni-tank/t/10857 Valka.cz: MT-55A]
* [http://www.dishmodels.ru/wshow.htm?p=1705 Dishmodels.ru: Walkaround of Russian MTU-55 in Tol'yatti]

{{T-54/T-55_navigation|style=wide}}

[[Category:Armoured vehicle-launched bridges]]
[[Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of Czechoslovakia]]
[[Category:Czechoslovakia–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s]]