The FAA’s William
J. Hughes Technical Center has acquired a new Striker aircraft
rescue and firefighting vehicle, from Oshkosh Truck Corp. of
Oshkosh, Wis. The $650,000 state-of-the-art test bed will open a
whole new realm of aircraft rescue and firefighting testing
capabilities for FAA researchers.
The new vehicle will allow research and testing on a scale much
larger and more complex than existing equipment, as aircraft like
the Airbus A380 come on the market.
The Striker has a large storage capacity for firefighting
agents, and many specialized features. It holds 2,500 gallons of
water, compared to the 800-gallon water capacity of the
center’s current research vehicle. The Striker features an
electronic foam proportioning system that takes the foam
concentrate from one tank and mixes it into the water stream at the
proper ratio. The system continually monitors itself, providing
better control of foam injection and better measurement of the
amount of agent used. The vehicle also carries two complimentary
extinguishing agents – Halotron and dry chemicals.
The Striker is 39.7 feet long, about 10.2 feet wide and 12.5
feet high. It weighs 76,810 pounds, and has six wheels, each 4.4
feet high. The Striker has a Caterpillar C-16, 680-horsepower
engine, with an Allison transmission, and is configured for a
three-man crew. It will be equipped with the standard
communications capabilities – air-to-ground radio, for
communicating with aircraft crews or towers; and ground-to-ground
radio, for communicating with other fire departments and outside
agencies.
The new vehicle is the most technologically advanced model
available, and provides the foundation for adding new technologies.
For instance, there is room for up to 6,000 pounds of additional
installed equipment, including the next-generation elevated boom.
Also, it has rear wheel steering capabilities for optimum vehicle
handling and reduced tire wear.
The Striker joins the Emergency One Titan high performance
research vehicle used by FAA researchers at the Technical Center
since 1992. The Titan was used to help develop many advances in
aviation firefighting. These include: the Driver’s Enhanced
Vision System, elevated boom technology, elevated boom with
aircraft skin penetrating devices, the Rhino multi-position high
performance bumper turret, vehicle suspension enhancements and the
lateral G-force indicator for vehicle stability.
The Striker meets and exceeds the requirements of both the FAA
and National Fire Protection Association for airport rescue and
firefighting vehicle design. Between research projects, the vehicle
will be kept ready for use at all times. Along with its FAA
research focus, it will be capable of supporting emergency
responses by area airport fire departments. FAA researchers have
completed the necessary training to operate the vehicle for test
purposes.