How US Special Forces Fit A Bridge In A Backpack

The Problem

If U.S. Special Forces agents need to scale a wall, traverse a canal, or cross between rooftops, they typically use an everyday 40-pound aluminum ladder. That means one of them has to carry it in addition to the standard 150 pounds of gear and body armor. It's heavy and requires both hands — hands that may have to fire a gun at any moment. There has to be a better way.

The Solution

The BAMBI (Break-Apart Mobile Bridging and Infiltration) device is a modular bridge that weighs 27 pounds and can be strapped to a backpack. The prototype, created by engineering students at Utah State University, has six sections composed of carbon-fiber tubes and a foam platform. Together, they create a 22-foot-long structure that can hold 350 pounds. A sandy finish provides enough traction to use it as a ramp over a 15-foot wall.

This article originally appeared in the December 2013 issue of Popular Science.

SEE ALSO: The Largest Snake In The World Has Invaded The United States

Join the conversation about this story »