AM 50

A Slovak AM-50 laying a fast bridge over the Torysa (1995)

AM 50 is a Czechoslovak, automatically launched assault bridge, that is used by combat engineers for crossing narrow obstacles such as rivers, canals, and ditches that are 10-12 meters wide. It is based on a Tatra 813 8×8 truck.

The AM 50 was developed for the Czechoslovak Army in the late 1960s. Today it is in use in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, India, Pakistan and Vietnam.

Development

Work on the vehicle began in 1968 and went through 1969, with the vehicle entering service with the Czechoslovak People's Army in 1972. Even though the original AM 50 variant was based on the Tatra 813 chassis, modern variants like the AM 50/70 EX are based on a modern Tatra 815-7 chassis.

Variants

AM 50

Original variant

AM 50 EX

Modernized variant

AM 70

Only one prototype was built.

AM 70 EX

Modernized variant.

Technical data

Variant AM 50 AM 50 EX AM 70 AM 70 EX
Crew 3 3
Engine Tatra T-930-17 12 cylinder, direct injection diesel engine Tatra T3C-928-90 8 cylinder, air cooled, turbochargeddirect injection diesel engine
Power output 247 hp (247 hp; 250 PS) at 2,000 rpm 402.3 hp (402.3 hp; 407.9 PS) at 1,800 rpm
Torque output 959.9 Nm at 1,400 rpm 2100.2 Nm at 1,000 rpm
Transmission Synchromesh gearbox with automatic split, mechanical gear-shifting, normal or reduced drive mode, 5 forward gears, 1 reverse gear Tatra 14 TS 210
Clutch Dry, triple-plate, with hydraulic control MFZ 1x430
  • single-plate
  • diaphragm clutch
  • 1x430 mm
  • attached to the engine fly wheel
  • hydraulic control with pressure-air power cylinder
Fuel capacity 200 litres 420 litres
Top speed (on road) 80 kilometers per hour 85 kilometers per hour
Top speed (off-road) 14 - 31 kilometers per hour ?
Fuel consumption 1.67 - 2.09 kilometers per litre ?
Cruising range on road ? 500 kilometers
Angle of approach/departure 35° / 30° 35° (without dozer blade) / 25°
Wading depth 1.4 meters 1.19 meters (without preparation)

1.5 meters (with preparation)
Superstructure Scissor bridge:
  • Payload: 49.7 tonnes
  • Length of one bay: 13.5 meters
  • Width of the carriageway: 4.0 meters
  • Total width: 4.21 meters
  • Maximum length of bridged obstacle: 108 meters (8 bays)
 M-50 EX scissor bridge with parameters in MLC 50:
  • Length of one bay: 13.5 meters
  • Width of the carriageway: 4.0 meters or 4.39 meters
  • Maximum length of the bridge: 108 meters (8 bays)
Gross vehicle weight

(with bridge)

 24,450 kg 30,000 kg
Gross vehicle weight

(without bridge)

 17,350 kg ?
Length

(with bridge)

 10.7 meters 11.25 meters
Length

(without bridge)

 10.3 meters ?
Width

(with bridge)

 3.15 meters 3.4 meters
Width

(without bridge)

 2.45 meters ?
Ground clearance ? 40 centimeters
Sources

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Žák, Petr (10 September 2022). "Mostní automobil Tatra 813 AM-50 v akci". Army Web (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-09-18.
  2. ↑ "AM-50". Valka.cz (in Czech). 8 January 2003. ISSN 1803-4306. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Tatra 813 8×8 AM-50 naučila hasiče stavět mosty, unikátní mostní automobily v hasičském provedení mají u Záchranného útvaru HZS ČR v Hlučíně". pozary.cz (in Czech). 15 April 2012. Retrieved 2026-09-18.
  4. 1 2 Marek, Antonín (11 January 2018). "Znáte Tatru AM 50? Stometrový most vám postaví na počkání". autoroad.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-09-18.
  5. ↑ "CZK - AM-50 (automobil mostní)". Armedconflicts.com. 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2026-09-18.
  6. ↑ "CZE - AM-50 EX (automobil mostní)". Valka.cz (in Czech). 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2026-09-18.