Spearhead front-runner
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FASTER THAN foam fire tenders, a newly built rapid intervention vehicle has been designed to be first at any airport blaze. The 7-ton vehicle from Chubb Fire Security Ltd can accelerate to 80km/h (50mph) in just 21 seconds and carries 9,000 litres (2,000gal) of light-water foam to contain any blaze until the slower tenders arrive.
Built to a British Airports Authority specification, Spearhead RIV will be in service at seven major UK airports by mid-summer.
Mounted on Reynolds Bough ton 4 x 4 chassis, the Spearhead is powered by a rearmounted Chrysler V8 7.2-litre (439cuin) petrol engine. Drive is transmitted through an Allison fully automatic gearbox to a centrally located transfer box which splits the drive between the axles. There are four forward and four reverse gears.
The Godiva dual-stage pump is pto driven and can be used to produce a high-pressure water fog or fine mist for fighting internal aircraft fires.
Standby vehicles at Gatwick and Heathrow will also be on call for off-airport emergencies.