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ARFF Vehicle Turrets for Fire Suppression

Yellow ARFF Volterra spray water on a fire outside

Fire suppression techniques have progressed substantially over time since the birth of Oshkosh® ARFF vehicles. Oshkosh technology has always been a catalyst for continuous improvement and outstanding performance within Oshkosh Airport Products ARFF vehicles.

ARFF truck attributes which have evolved most significantly over the years are elements supporting advanced fire suppression. Oshkosh Airport Products’ team members engineer the Oshkosh Striker® ARFF vehicle with a variety of water suppression components ranging from a roof turret, bumper turret, the Oshkosh Snozzle® High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) and under truck nozzles with differing configurations.

These components enable fire suppression from all angles and provide exceptional solutions for airports across the world. A wide range of fires inside and outside the fuselage, as well as ground fires can be successfully extinguished with Oshkosh Airport Products ARFF vehicles.

ARFF Vehicle Standard Bumper Turret

The standard bumper turret comes on all Oshkosh models and is one of the first lines of defense in fighting aircraft fires. The turret sits just below the windshield and can be seen and operated from the driver’s chair in the cab. The bumper turret flow rates vary by model; the Striker 4x4 standard flow rate is 375 gpm (1,420 lpm) while the Striker 6x6 and Striker 8x8 models are standard at 625 gpm (2,365 lpm).

ARFF Vehicle Low Attack Bumper Turret

This option allows drivers to move the bumper turret to near ground level. The low attack bumper turret on the Striker ARFF truck offers the same flowrates as the standard bumper turret but can be lowered to 12 inches (30 cm) above the ground. This feature is used to extinguish low angle fires on the runway. The low attack bumper turret offers a simple solution for firefighters through easy application inside the cab. 

The low attack bumper turret is controlled by a joystick in the cab which allows for easy deployment and stowing back into the truck after use. This turret arrangement assures substantial extinguishing capabilities at the operator’s fingertips.

ARFF Vehicle Roof Turret

A red ARFF Vehicle with roof turret sitting on pavement with white lines and a blue sky in the background

Striker ARFF vehicles are engineered with roof turrets to combat fires from multiple areas on the truck. Like other turrets on the Striker ARFF truck, this component is operated by an electric joystick inside the cab and customers can choose between multiple configurations including non-aspirating and aspirating options, differing flow rates and agent integration.

Discharge rates start at 375 gpm (1,420 lpm) and go up to 1,585 gpm (6,000 lpm). The roof turret can rotate up to 270 degrees and various lighting and camera options are available.

Snozzle HRET

230612_PIERCE_ARFF_VOLTERRA_4618

The Snozzle HRET greatly increases fire suppression from different angles as well as heights. This technological advancement aids in fighting fires from elevated positions and can maneuver into tight positions to attack fires below grade. The Snozzle HRET can douse the aircraft with unrivaled precision and can eliminate fires over wing exits and through doorways.

With a wider range of motion, both of the Snozzle HRET’s configurations can rotate 60 degrees. The 50-foot (15.2 m) configuration can sweep 36 feet (11.2 m), while the 65-foot (19.8 m) configuration can sweep 46 feet (14 m).

The patented design of the Snozzle HRET discharges a full master stream at ground level, aiding in elimination of overspray and increasing visibility and agent application. The low positions this feature can reach streams water onto ground-level fires, eliminating flames, and allows the ARFF vehicle to reach all areas of the aircraft. The Snozzle HRET can be used to smother fires taking place in various areas including the wheels and brakes, cargo holds, fuel tanks and areas underneath the aircraft.

ARFF Vehicle Under Truck Nozzle

Under truck nozzles protect the vehicle from flames at the crash scene. The discharge rate of the under-truck nozzles is 19 gpm (72 lpm), providing a continuous flow of water for added protection.

The nozzles underneath the truck work in conjunction with the primary discharges. With both nozzles in use, the vehicle can operate effectively while remaining protected from ground fires.

 

ARFF Vehicle Fire Suppression Components - Additional Features

Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Cameras

Also known as thermal imaging cameras, our Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras aren't directly responsible for extinguishing flames, but they play a critical role in fighting unseen fires. The monitor inside the cab displays the video taken by the thermal camera to the operator. This feature allows firefighters to determine the location of fires inside the fuselage that would otherwise be impossible to see from the ARFF truck.

Piercing Tip

The Snozzle HRET on the Striker ARFF vehicle is engineered with a piercing tip to penetrate interior trim panels and overhead baggage compartments on a fuselage. The Snozzle HRET piercing tip has a standard penetrating depth of 36 inches (91.5 cm) and an optional 12-inch tip extension.

The penetrating speed and depth of the piercing tip are managed by the operator inside the cab, enabling precise application of agent. The piercing tip also aids in the fire suppression process by using a misting technique to add to the versatility of the Snozzle HRET.

Oshkosh Airport Products understands the crucial nature of proper fire suppression required at airfield crash scenes. This is why airports have the option to equip their fire apparatus with differing configurations ranging from a roof turret, bumper turret, Snozzle HRET, under truck nozzles, thermal cameras, and fuselage-piercing tips.

Topics: ARFF, HRET, Snozzle, Firefighting, low attack bumper turret

View the ARFF Vehicle Reference Guide

About Oshkosh Airport Products

Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), is a designer and builder of industry-leading airport firefighting vehicles. Its flagship Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles are known for their durability and superior performance and sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.oshkoshairport.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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