What type of bridge did Leonardo da Vinci design for rapid military deployment?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a revolving bridge for rapid military deployment.

The bridge was conceived as a portable engineering device that could be assembled, swung into place, and removed when necessary. Its rotating mechanism addressed the need for armies to cross rivers or defensive ditches without leaving a permanent crossing behind.

Leonardo’s notebooks contain many designs for military equipment, including bridges, fortifications, weapons, and transport machinery. The revolving bridge stands out because it combines a simple strategic goal with a compact mechanical solution.

It should not be confused with a conventional drawbridge. A drawbridge pivots upward, usually from one end, while Leonardo’s concept used a rotating arrangement intended to move the whole crossing into position. No surviving original bridge proves that this exact design was built.