The United States Air Force has incorporated a new firefighting vehicle based on the Polaris DAGOR, an ultralight tactical platform originally developed for special forces operations.
According to a report by the website Defence Blog, the model was presented during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where it demonstrated its ability to operate on terrain where conventional fire trucks struggle to perform.
To transform it into a firefighting truck, the DAGOR received the Ward Mobile Airfield Rescue Kit (MARK-1), developed in partnership between ADS and Ward Apparatus at the request of the U.S. Air Force.
The system adds a tank with around 568 liters of water, a pump with a flow rate of approximately 360 liters per minute, a front water cannon with different operating modes, hoses, a suction pump to collect water from rivers and lakes, and specialized equipment to rescue pilots from crashed aircraft.
Another important feature is the vehicle’s high mobility. The Polaris DAGOR was designed with suspension inspired by off-road racing vehicles and can be transported inside a C-130 Hercules aircraft, suspended under UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, or dropped by parachute, allowing it to be quickly deployed to remote areas or forward bases.
According to the Air Force, Hill Air Force Base is one of only three installations in the service to permanently operate the MARK-1. In addition to expanding response capabilities in aircraft accidents and wildfires, the vehicle will also be used in military firefighter training, enabling more realistic simulations and preparing teams for operations both on domestic territory and in wartime scenarios.
Photos: DVIDS. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
