Oshkosh Corp. is bringing a greener alternative to the airfield with the recent introduction of its Striker Volterra hybrid electric ARFF vehicle.
The unit uses a parallel-electric drivetrain with an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission, which allows zero-emissions operation when powered by the integrated onboard batteries. It can be coupled to the internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system.
“We’re at a point now that the value of this technology and the cost of this technology has now aligned with what the customers expectations are to drive greener initiatives at airports and their ground support and AOA-type vehicles,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “The Striker Volterra has both the cost parody and benefit that’s applicable to this type of niche equipment markets.”
The Striker Volterra features a 13-liter diesel engine with an onboard battery to allow a variety of driving and operational modes to either combine or use the battery or engine exclusively during operations. The unit can drive in full EV mode while the diesel engine still supports pumping operations.
“With the combination of the engine and the battery, you’re actually able to get to the end of the runway quicker than with a conventional diesel engine,” Bermingham said.
The 6x6 chassis includes a 3,170-gallon water tank, 444-gallon foam tank, 2,000 GPM water pump and 550 pound dry chemical powder system.
The Striker Volterra is compliant to NFPA 414 and ICAO standards while being certified to off-highway EPA and EU regulations. It’s available in both the 4x4 and 6x6 chassis platforms.
“The Striker Volterra meets and exceeds all the requirements of the conventional drivetrain,” Bermingham said. “From a firefighting standpoint, you don’t have to change anything. You don’t have less agents or less pumping capabilities or less acceleration performance. You have all the same things that airport firefighters around the globe need to do their job.”
The batteries can be charged by the diesel engine on the vehicle, a regenerative braking system and it can be plugged into a fire station charging system. It can run on zero emissions up to an hour, eliminating idle exhaust while on standby.
The Striker Volterra operates the same as a conventional ARFF unit. The truck manages the energy sources, so no additional training is needed for operation.
“Because it can meet the same requirements as a Striker, any airport that requires this type of product for their commercial or military aircraft service would find it beneficial to them,” he said. “Anyone who wants to support and protect the traveling public and also protect the environment as well.”
