| PANTHER fire fighting vehicle was supplied to Ostrava airport in Czech Republic |
At the beginning of February, Rosenbauer, the world market leader in the special fire services vehicle field, supplied an unusual PANTHER to Ostrava, the largest regional airport in the Czech Republic.
Key air traffic center
The airport is situated 20 km to the south of Ostrava, which is the Czech Republic's third largest city and in recent years has developed into a key air traffic center due to a steady increase in passenger numbers. Today, the airport numbers among the most important development partners for the entire Moravia-Silesia region.
Rosenbauer ARFF vehicles in service
The airport's vehicle fleet is currently being updated within the framework of a modernization program and in addition to the new PANTHER, a double cabin BUFFALO from Rosenbauer has been in use at the airport since 2006. Indeed, customer satisfaction with this vehicle is one reason why Rosenbaur has been able to capture further vehicle delivery orders within the scope of the equipment upgrading program.
PANTHER 6x6 CA5
The chassis of the PANTHER is fitted with a Caterpillar C18 Euro 3 engine. With 705 HP, it accelerates the PANTHERS from 0 to 80 kph within 30 seconds. The vehicle also disposes of all-wheel drive, dual-circuit compressed air brakes and ABS in line with ECE R13 stipulations. Moreover, in spite of a total weight of 36t, it still reaches an impressive top speed of 115 kph. The PANTHER 6x6 CA5 represents a reliable partner for fire-fighting at the airport. 12,500 l of water and 1,500 l of foam can be carried in its tanks. A power divider pump drive ensures mobile extinguishing and hence p
PANTHER and BUFFALO are new-age fire fighting vehicles for better and enhanced safety |
ump & roll operation. The R600 normal pressure pump has an output of 6,200 l/min at 11 bar, while the high pressure pump H5 emits 400 l/min at 40 bar. The powder unit with its capacity of 250 kg, has a pressure outlet on both the left and right-hand sides and is operated electro-pneumatically.
In addition, an RM60C water-foam monitor is located on the vehicle roof, which is fitted with xenon searchlights and has a capacity of 4,750 l/min at 10 bar. This high-performance monitor offers top figures with regards to throw range, which amounts to 80 m. The front RM15C monitor with foam pipe emits 1,500 l/min and has a throw range of 60 m. The simple control of both monitors permits one-hand operation by means of joystick, which is used for the direct control of all monitor functions.
Unusual from a technical and color scheme perspective
| PANTHER comes with features like power divider pump, top speed of 115 Kph and more advance traits |
Ostrava Airport has received the one, and to date, only PANTHER in special RAL 3024 daylight flourescent paint. Another new feature is the ergonomic positioning of the controls for the operation of the RM60C and RM15C monitors, which for the first time have been integrated into the armrests of the operator's seat.
In addition, the vehicle is fitted with a quick start device, a 7x35W xenon Flexilight lighting mast, and an infrared camera with hard disk memory and monitor display. The PANTHER constitutes an internationally respected vehicle concept that is not only used at Ostrava, but also at Prague Airport.
Quality and individual vehicle design
The Czech customer values both the quality of the Rosenbauer products as well the availability of individual vehicle design. Another three vehicles are to be supplied in mid-2010.