In May 2013 the U.S. Marine Corps awarded the Oshkosh Defense corporation a contract to replace the P-19 firefighting vehicle. At the upcoming Modern Marine exhibition in Quantico, VA Oshkosh is displaying the new vehicle, which is currently completing internal testing. According to Oshkosh, the P-19R is on schedule to deliver three prototypes to the Marine Corps in the coming months for rigorous testing, which will take place next year. The total estimated contract value is $192 million. Work will be performed by Oshkosh beginning in June 2013 and is expected to be completed by May 2018.
The P-19R will be the Marines’ first-response vehicle in aircraft fire emergencies at military bases and expeditionary airfields. This next-generation vehicle will provide more advanced on-road and off-road firefighting capabilities to Marines and replace their current fleet of Oshkosh P-19 ARFF vehicles as the vehicles reach the end of their service lives.
The next-generation Oshkosh P-19R is based on the proven Oshkosh Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) platform including the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system to deliver more advanced on-road and off-road firefighting capabilities to the Marine Corps. The vehicle’s Command Zone integrated diagnostics and automation system helps the crew carry out firefighting missions with increased situational awareness. Oshkosh Defense leveraged the expertise of the Oshkosh Airport Products Group, the industry-leading ARFF vehicle producer, to equip the Oshkosh P-19R with the advanced Striker firefighting systems.
Oshkosh began manufacturing the MB-5 ARFF vehicle for the U.S. Navy in the 1960s as well as the military’s P-19 in the 1980s. Today, the Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle is used by the U.S. military and at airports around the world. Oshkosh developed its Striker ARFF models with input and feedback from firefighters to provide the wide range of safety, reliability and performance capabilities they need.
