USMC P-19R achieves Milestone C

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has received Milestone C approval for the P-19 Replacement (P-19R) Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle programme, clearing the way for full rate production (FRP) to begin, Oshkosh Defense announced on 18 August.

Oshkosh was awarded the $192 million P-19R ARFF contract in May 2013 to replace the P-19A fleet with the P-19R. The company will deliver 164 P-19R ARFFs through 2019. 

The vehicle has completed all testing, evaluation, and readiness reviews required for Milestone C. 

The P-19R allows crew to respond to on- and off-runway emergency response situations. The vehicle can travel at speeds of up to 70mph, and uses the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system, which delivers 16 inches of independent wheel travel to provide greater all-terrain performance for off-runway emergencies. It carries up to 1,000 gallons of water, 130 gallons of foam agent, and 500lbs of auxiliary firefighting agent. The roof and bumper turrets combined discharge up to 750 gallons per minute.

The P-19R is also equipped with Oshkosh’s Command Zone integrated control and diagnostics system. This fully-automated system provides access to vehicle information, and allows personnel to repair and troubleshoot vehicles, view real-time performance data and remotely access diagnostics information.