Aqueous Based Fire Suppression for Military Vehicle Crew Compartments

Recent tests have shown 80% improvement in closed compartment fire-suppression and post burn protection is achievable by implementing induction charging into aqueous based automatic fire extinguishing systems. CFDRC will capitalize on these results to provide military tactical vehicles with an aqueous based fire suppression alternative to oxygen displacement. Phase I will focus on: 1. Implementation of an induction charged aqueous based fire suppression system into a heavily instrumented prototype MTVR military vehicle compartment capable of quantifying crew casualty/injury levels over a 5 minute period; and 2. Test and evaluation of crew casualty/injury protection upon vehicle compartment exposure to external (explosion/fire outside crew compartment) and internal fires (via Field Expedient Molotov cocktail entry through ceiling hatch). The Phase I test matrix includes examination of multiple fire energy levels, aqueous supply levels, and suppressant discharge event sequences to focus and define R & D efforts for technology transition into Marine Corps tactical vehicles. Approximately 100 heavily instrumented fire suppression test events will be completed and assessed by our team (Defense Contractors, Fire Research Institutes, Equipment Manufacturers, etc.). The option program will focus on cost/benefit assessment regarding quantifying chemical compositions, and crew casualty/injury outcomes relative to existing oxygen displacement systems. During Phase II CFDRC will manufacture several working prototypes while validating all test instrumentation and techniques required for Marine Corps field performance certification and qualification.