This AVLB prototype launcher assembly used an M48 tank with its turret removed from the chassis, fitted with a launching system for the scissors bridge carried on top of the hull.

This AVLB bridge launching system was designed and tested by the US Army Engineer Research & Development Laboratories at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

All AVLBs were constructed at the Anniston Army Depot, Alabama under contract with General Dynamics Land Systems.

The scissor bridge is carried in folded position on top of the chassis and the hydraulics for the launcher installed in the former driver's compartment.

It can produce a limited smokescreen by dumping raw diesel fuel into the exhaust system to visually obscure the area around the vehicle.

The vehicle itself is unarmed; however, the crewmembers are typically armed with assault rifles (M16 or M4), pistols, flares, and/or colored smoke grenades.

[9] In the event a MICLIC fails to detonate normally, it can be manually activated by time-delay fuses every few feet along its length.

[10] The modification of the AVLB into an AVLM is a temporary expedient, to employ the system the vehicle cannot be carrying a bridge.

The Military Load Classification (MLC) 60 bridge has sufficient capacity to support the M48 and M60 families of armored vehicles.

[11] Since its introduction in service in 1963, the M60 AVLB has supported the armored forces of the US Army and Marine Corps in many conflicts and military exercises.

[6] During the Cold War, the M60A1 AVLB was deployed to West Germany with US Army Combat Engineer units in support of NATO, notably during annual REFORGER exercises through 1991.

[14] The M60-based AVLB has been found to be inadequate to support the M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley armored vehicles, and its age is making it difficult to maintain and sustain with parts becoming obsolete.

Both the Army and Marine Corps are planning to replace the vehicles with the M1074 Joint Assault Bridge (JABS).

The first armored bridge layers to enter service with the Israel Defense Force were constructed from captured Jordanian M48s.