| All Oshkosh Striker aircraft rescue and ARFF vehicles will feature Ultra High Pressure (UHP) firefighting systems |
Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation company, has been awarded a contract to build 16 new generation Oshkosh® Striker® aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles for the United States Air Force (USAF). All of the vehicles will feature Ultra High Pressure (UHP) firefighting systems. The purchase includes seven 4 x 4 and nine 6 x 6 Oshkosh Striker apparatus. The first units will be deployed beginning in July 2015 at key USAF air bases around the globe – including those in the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and Turkey.
“Oshkosh Airport Products is honored to be selected to supply these state-of-the-art firefighting apparatus to the USAF,” said Jeff Resch, Oshkosh Airport Products vice president and general manager. “The Oshkosh Striker delivers unmatched chassis performance, ergonomics and reliability, and we’re excited to integrate a powerful and highly effective UHP firefighting system on all 16 of these vehicles.”
The Oshkosh UHP firefighting system includes a pump that delivers 300 GPM of foam at 1,250 PSI through a front bumper turret. UHP systems release smaller water droplets at much higher pressure than conventional firefighting systems. When used in conjunction with Class B foam, the end result is far less water usage and faster knockdown performance than a conventional firefighting system.
“Our unwavering mission is to build the safest, most effective and powerful ARFF vehicles on the planet, and the addition of an ultra-high pressure firefighting system adds another level of capability to our toolbox,” said Resch. “Development and testing by the USAF shows significant advantages for UHP firefighting systems, and we’re excited to have this new technology integrated with the Oshkosh Striker.”
The Oshkosh Striker offers many proprietary chassis technologies, such as Oshkosh TAK-4® all-wheel and fully independent suspension for a smooth ride and exceptional off-road capabilities. The vehicles will also feature a 16.0-liter, 670 HP Deutz engine for excellent acceleration and lower emissions. The cab features 84 square feet of glass and a 238-degree horizontal viewing radius for unmatched outward visibility, while the purpose-built instrumentation and controls deliver superb ergonomics.