The Australian Defense Force (ADF) has selected Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation company, to deliver its new fleet of aircraft transportable Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. The Oshkosh® Striker® AT/XC will be the ADF’s first-response vehicle in aircraft fire emergencies at military bases and expeditionary airfields. This next-generation vehicle will provide more advanced on-road and off-road firefighting capabilities to the Royal Australian Air Force and Army and will replace their current fleet of ARFF vehicles.
“This contract is an important milestone that represents a tremendous effort by many teams within Oshkosh Corporation,” said Jeff Resch, Oshkosh Airport Products vice president and general manager. “By drawing upon the vast resources within Oshkosh, and leveraging existing technologies and expertise, we are providing the Australian Defense Forces with a state-of-the-art ARFF vehicle with exceptional mobility and firefighting power that is backed by comprehensive parts and service support. We call this integrated approach One Oshkosh.”
The Oshkosh Striker AT/XC is based on the Oshkosh P-19R (the U.S. Marines ARFF vehicle of choice) and the technologically advanced Striker firefighting systems from Oshkosh Airport Products. The Oshkosh Striker AT/XC features Oshkosh TAK-4® independent suspension system to deliver exceptional mobility for off-runway response situations, and the Command Zone™ integrated diagnostics and automation system to increase the crew’s situational awareness and help them carry out firefighting missions.
Oshkosh Airport Products is the industry-leading ARFF vehicle producer, with vehicles in operation at more than 70 countries around the world. Oshkosh began manufacturing the MB-5 ARFF vehicle for the U.S. Navy in the 1960s as well as the military’s P-19 in the 1980s. Today, the Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle is used by the U.S. military and at airports around the world. Oshkosh developed its Striker ARFF models with input and feedback from firefighters to provide the wide range of safety, reliability and performance capabilities they need.
The Striker AT/XC ARFF vehicles support and sustainment contract was awarded to Oshkosh Airport Products Group by Australia’s Land Systems Division. Work will be performed by Oshkosh beginning in November 2014 and is expected to be completed by January 2017.