Ramona Adams
An Oshkosh Corp. subsidiary is set to proceed with the full-rate production of P-19R aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles for the U.S. Marine Corps after the company and the military branch received Milestone C approval from the Defense Department.
Oshkosh Defense will produce and deliver 164 ARFFs through 2019 to replace the Marine Corps’ P-19 fleet under a potential $192 million contract awarded in May 2013, the company said Thursday.
Pat Williams, vice president and general manager of Army and Marine Corps programs at Oshkosh Defense, said P-19R vehicles will be built to transport and help Marines respond to firefighting missions at military bases or expeditionary airfields.
The Milestone C approval came after Oshkosh Defense completed DoD’s development testing, evaluation and readiness requirements for the P-19 ARFF replacement program.
P-19R will be equipped with the company’s TAK-4 independent suspension system for all-terrain or off-runway performance as well as Striker ARFF vehicle firefighting system and Command Zone integrated control and diagnostics technology.
Oshkosh plans to showcase its P-19R offering at the Modern Day Marine military expo that will be held at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia next month.
