A bridge launching and retrieving mechanism after mounting on a vehicle forms a bridge transporting, launching and retrieving vehicle. The launching and retrieving mechanism includes input, follower and coupler links which are pivotably interconnected, and input and follower links are pivotably mounted to a support means or to a vehicle itself. An interfacing means is pivotably attached to the coupler and provides rigid temporary interface between a bridge and the mechanism. To allow a bridge to be launched in different directions, the launching mechanism is mounted on support means in the form of a basket rotatably mounted in the vehicle's body. The preferred embodiments use two parallel linkage arrangements each having at least an input link, a coupler link, a follower link and a support means. An embodiment uses variable length links and variable position of pivots of the links so that the footing portion of the coupler may be placed on the ground at a variable distance from the vehicle body. Proper positioning of link attachment points results in automatic return of the vehicle to the earth if it is lifted from the earth during launch or retrieval of a bridge.
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