P-19R ARFF for USMC unveiled at Modern Day Marine

Oshkosh Defense has unveiled its new P-19 Replacement Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle at Modern Day Marine in Quantico. The vehicle is in development for the US Marine Corps (USMC) as a first-response vehicle for aircraft fire emergencies at military bases and expeditionary airfields.

Oshkosh was awarded a $192 million contract to deliver the P-19R vehicles in May. The fleet will replace the current fleet of Oshkosh P-19 ARFF vehicles as they reach the end of their service lives.

The company is currently completing internal testing on the P-19R, and said it is on track to deliver three prototypes to the USMC in the coming months for testing, which is scheduled to take place next year.

The Oshkosh P-19R is based on the Oshkosh Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR). The vehicle utilises the TAK-4 independent suspension system to deliver improved on-road and off-road firefighting capabilities, and will be equipped with the Striker firefighting system. The vehicle also has a Command Zone integrated diagnostics and automation system, which is designed to help the crew carry out firefighting missions with increased situational awareness.

John Bryant, senior vice president of defense programs, Oshkosh Defense, said: ‘Firefighting and emergency missions on military bases and airfields are critical to the overall success of marine corps operations.  We designed our P-19R ARFF vehicle to protect marines in these dangerous situations, and we’re proud to showcase the P-19R’s capabilities for the first time at Modern Day Marine.’