Oshkosh Airport Products' mission is to deliver the safest and most innovative custom-built vehicles on the runway, including aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles.
Backed by 100 years of heavy-duty truck manufacturing experience at Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh Airport Products listens to the customer and provides quality aircraft rescue products built to serve customers' needs. Below are key legacy features that make the Striker ARFF perform and meet this mission.
ARFF Cab User Experience
An intuitive user experience in the cab is essential due to the cab being the primary user interface
The ergonomically designed cab offers more comfort and space than the traditional fire truck, as well as controls and features that allow for one-person operation. An intuitive user experience in the cab is essential due to the cab being the primary use interface. In the cab, they will find a 12-inch (30.5-cm) main display.
The display has two functionalities: a firefighting control screen powered by the vehicle’s Command Zone™ electrical system and the ability to view different camera options. They will find the cameras offer phenomenal situational awareness around the Striker ARFF vehicle. The camera display showcases four different camera capabilities:
- Backup camera
- Infrared cameras
- Forward-looking scene cameras
- 360-degree camera
The 360-degree camera provides a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and can show all sides of the vehicle while in motion. With the click of a button, they can change which camera they would like to view.
Color-coordinated buttons and switches
The Command Zone system has been updated with new software and graphics. The controls use thoughtfully placed color-coordinated buttons and switches:
- Blue switch represents water usage
- Yellow switch represents foam
- Purple switch represents dry chemical agents
- White switch represents clean agents such as Halotron
Oshkosh’s Command Zone system has semi-autonomous features including turret deployment, light configurations, user customizations, foam flushing and dry chemical fluffing.
Airport rescue crew’s health and safety
ARFF Vehicle Carcinogen Awareness and Reduction to Exposure (CARE™) Clean Options
CARE clean options are key features that support the airport rescue crew’s health and safety. The program is designed to raise firefighters' awareness of damaging carcinogens.
The Striker vehicle’s CARE clean options include a variety of features to reduce a firefighter’s exposure to carcinogens. Features they can specify on the truck include:
- Easily washable flat floor
- Optional cleanable seats
- Removable and cleanable interior surfaces
- Optional exterior wash station
- Compartment storage for SCBA’s
- Custom add-ons for decontamination showerheads and spray nozzles
- Various exhaust extraction options
ARFF Vehicle Increased Visibility
Windows on the Striker ARFF are made of safety glass which are DOT and ECE-certified
Increased visibility enhances the user’s view and allows the operator to see closer to the truck and navigate the airfield safely. The Striker vehicle’s forward visibility has improved by 25 percent compared to past iterations and has a range of 8.8 feet (2.7 m).
The horizontal viewing range has improved by five percent and has a range of 254 degrees. The cab’s glass covering improved by 18 percent and has 98 square feet (9.1 m) of combined glass area. The Striker’s unique center-steer feature, compared to the left-side placement on traditional fire trucks, allows for increased visibility from all angles. Windows on the Striker ARFF are made of safety glass which is DOT and ECE certified.
Customized Lighting
Runways offer little to no overhead lighting, so the Striker ARFF can come equipped with customizable lighting features, including floodlighting, warning lights, strobes, light towers, specialty lighting and more. Depending on the specific needs, any type of lighting can be added to the truck to increase night-time visibility and improve mission performance and safety.
Safety Features
Side curtain airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners are an optional system integrated into the cab
Oshkosh Airport Products offers engineered features to keep occupants safe during their critical mission. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a feature tied in with the braking system that slows the vehicle down by depowering the engine and applying the brakes when it senses an imbalance event due to low friction surfaces.
Side curtain airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners are an optional system integrated into the cab. During a side rollover event, each seat has added protection to keep the firefighter safe.
Oshkosh ARFF Vehicle Legacy Features
Oshkosh Airport Products’ legacy of innovative technology is still present in the Striker ARFF vehicle. Features like the Oshkosh Snozzle® high-reach extendable turret (HRET), K-Factor™ system, TAK-4® Independent Suspension, ECO EFP™ system and ClearSky™ Telematics have shown to have impressive features which continue the legacy of the Oshkosh Striker vehicle.
- Snozzle HRET: The Oshkosh Snozzle HRET arms the operator with technology to fight the most extreme emergencies. The Snozzle HRET can reach an attack from any angle with a 50-foot (15.2 m) or 65-foot (19.8 m) extendable boom. With the Snozzle HRET, the operator can reach both sides of the aircraft and get into tight spaces like doorways or exits without having to go inside the plane.
- Oshkosh K-Factor System: The K-Factor system is a technology designed to help operators with alignment when piercing using the Snozzle HRET. K-Factor provides information on the Snozzle HRET’s position relative to the fuselage while eliminating depth perception challenges.
- TAK-4 Independent Suspension: Oshkosh’s engineered and manufactured independent suspension is the gold standard of mobility for heavy-duty vehicles, equipment and fire apparatus. TAK-4 Independent Suspension increases vehicle mobility, off-road speed, load-carrying capacity and ride quality.
- ECO EFP: The operator can measure foam percentages without having to discharge any foam from the vehicle with the ECO EFP (Electronic Foam Proportioning) system. On the pump panel display, the operator will find the measurements of both the solution and foam flows for up to three years.
- ClearSky Telematics: Technology offers maintenance and readiness data for fleet and fire operations while providing notification of any maintenance needs and service issues. ClearSky Telematics alerts them when larger technical issues occur, allowing them to stay on top of routine maintenance, and monitor the entire fleet. This technology gives you total visibility of fleet readiness at a moment’s notice.
Aircraft rescue vehicle performance
Using Innovative Technology to Improve ARFF Vehicle Performance
Throughout years of listening to the customer’s needs and wants, they have implemented some of the best feedback into the Striker ARFF vehicle. Oshkosh Airport Products values improving aircraft rescue vehicle performance, while maintaining key technology features and keeping the Oshkosh legacy strong.
