As a fire truck, the vehicle must meet three essential requirements. The first is Exceptional Reliability — it must remain in a constant state of readiness and cannot afford frequent mechanical failures.
The second key requirement is Exceptional Timeliness. In fire emergencies, every second counts—any delay can be critical. Not only must firefighters respond swiftly, but the fire truck itself must be capable of maintaining a high average speed to ensure it arrives at the scene without delay.
Third, fire trucks must be Exceptionally Sturdy and dependable.
Firefighting environments are often extremely demanding, requiring vehicles to withstand intense stress. In some rescue scenarios, fire trucks may be called upon to break through rubble or barriers to enable firefighters to reach trapped victims and carry out life-saving operations.
In addition, the aerial advantages of drones, when integrated with the fire truck’s firefighting management system, offer an all-in-one intelligent firefighting solution for fire departments, industrial facilities, airports, and other sites around the world.
In the unique environment of airports, all operational requirements must be taken to a higher level. That’s why the airport fire truck series stands out as the signature product of Luxembourg-BAYA, delivering unmatched performance and reliability.
The airport rapid intervention vehicle boasts a distinctive and unconventional appearance, yet it has been embraced by airports around the world. Rosenbauer has named this series the “Panther”—a name that perfectly matches the vehicle’s design and function. Like the animal it’s named after, the Panther stands for efficiency, speed, and precision in action. But how exactly does this vehicle achieve such remarkable performance? Let’s take a closer look.
Rosenbauer’s airport crash tender series has now reached its 6th generation, with vehicles deployed at major airports worldwide—a clear testament to the series’ outstanding reputation. Both the Panther 4×4 and Panther 6×6 models are powered by Volvo’s TAD1642VE-B diesel engines, each delivering an impressive 700 horsepower. These high-performance engines produce over 3,200 Nm of torque, with peak torque available between 1,000 and 1,400 rpm. The powertrain is based on the Volvo PENTA series, a robust engine platform rarely seen in standard tractor trucks, underscoring the specialized engineering behind these vehicles.
A less common feature of the Panther series fire trucks is their rear-mounted engine layout. All cooling systems are also positioned at the rear of the vehicle. This design offers 2 major advantages: Firstly, it allows for a more spacious and comfortable driver’s cabin; Secondly, it keeps critical components like the engine away from the fire source, reducing the risk of heat damage.
Both the 4×4 and 6×6 models are equipped with a TwinDisc 6-speed electronic transmission, which is known to be an electronically controlled gearbox.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Types | 4×4 and 6×6 models |
| Fully Loaded Weight | Approximately 40 tons |
| Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | 30 seconds |
| Top Speed | >115 km/h |
| Drivetrain | 6×6 (for 6×6 models) |
| Axle Type | Wheel-end reduction axles |
| Tire Type | Michelin XLZ1 Off-road Tires |
| Tire Size | 24R21 |
| Terrain Capability | Can navigate airport grass fields without getting stuck |
| Operational Benefit | Faster and more efficient arrival at fire scenes |
4×4 airport fire truck model:
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length | 10,150 mm | Comparable to a medium-duty truck |
| Overall Width | 3,000 mm | 3 meters wide, aids stability in turns |
| Overall Height | 3,650 mm | Comparable to a medium-duty truck |
| Wheelbase | 4,800 mm | |
| Center of Gravity | Relatively low | Enhances stability during high-speed cornering |
| Approach Angle | 30 degrees | Good off-road capability |
| Departure Angle | 30 degrees | Good off-road capability |
| Breakover Angle | 21 degrees | Good off-road capability |
| Water Cannons | Roof & Front Mounted | Available on both 4×4 and 6×6 models |
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | RBI 52.1400 8×8 |
| Series | Panther Series |
| Drive Configuration | 8×8 |
| Engine(s) | Two Volvo D16 engines |
| Total Horsepower | ~1,400 HP |
| Transmission | Allison 4800R 7-speed automatic |
| Special Features | High-capacity water cannon |
| Power Usage | – Vehicle propulsion |
| – Electronic control systems | |
| – Water pump and firefighting equipment | |
| Sector | Airport firefighting |
| Key Requirements | High speed and fast response times |
| Feature | 6×6 Model | 8×8 Model |
|---|---|---|
| High-capacity water cannon | Equipped | Equipped |
| Ladders | Equipped | Equipped |
| HRET piercing arm (optional) | Available | Available |
| Purpose of HRET | Creates an opening in the aircraft fuselage to inject water/foam internally for cooling and fire suppression | Same |
| Length (mm) | Not specified | 13,400 |
| Width (mm) | Not specified | 3,200 |
| Height (mm) | Not specified | 3,750 |
| Fully loaded weight (tons) | Not specified | > 52 |
First, let’s introduce the body structure of the Panther. As mentioned earlier, the Panther series places the engine at the rear of the vehicle. The biggest advantage of this design is that it significantly increases the cabin space and allows for maximum optimization of the driver’s field of vision. Inside the Panther’s cab, thanks to the large curved glass structure, the visibility is exceptionally clear and unobstructed. This design helps firefighters better observe the fire situation and reduces the chance of overlooking any critical details.
Additionally, thanks to the modular design of the vehicle’s exterior, many components can be externally attached to adapt to different rescue requirements. In recent years, this modular approach has also gained acceptance in the fields of tractor and engineering vehicles. Although the 8×8 model shown in the image uses a modular design, its overall appearance remains sleek and orderly, with clearly defined functional areas. In critical fireground situations where every second counts, such a design helps firefighters minimize the chance of errors.
Based on 6×6 model:
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Pump Model | N&NH Series | — | High-pressure fire pump |
| Water Tank Capacity | 11,356 | Liters | Standard capacity |
| Foam Tank Capacity | 1,598 | Liters | Foam agent tank capacity |
| Fire Pump Operating Pressure | 10 | Bar | Pressure during operation |
| Flow Rate at 10 Bar Pressure | 141 | Liters per second | Volume of water/foam mixture pumped |
| Fire Suppression Duration | 80 | Seconds | Approximate time fire can be suppressed |
| Purpose | Immediate fire control | — | Helps control the fire until reinforcements arrive |
Upon arriving at the fire scene, both the driver and co-driver can use the handles shown in the diagram to control the water cannons located at the front and roof of the Panther fire truck. This manual control allows them to direct the water jets precisely to the targeted area for firefighting. This system significantly reduces the time previously spent manually connecting hoses to pumps, and the fully automated design greatly enhances firefighting efficiency.
The Panther fire truck is equipped with a very comprehensive set of features. Notably, it includes the MADAS system, the FLIR system, and the CleanAir system. The MADAS system can be understood as the “black box” of the fire truck, continuously monitoring various vehicle data in real-time. If the fire truck encounters a malfunction or irreversible damage, it can immediately collect relevant data and transmit it to the appropriate departments for investigation and analysis of the incident.
The FLIR system is even more advanced and can be understood as a thermal imaging detection system. This cutting-edge technology is widely used in modern tanks to detect and target enemies. So why does the Panther series fire truck use this kind of equipment? The reason is simple: It allows for the rapid detection of fire sources and high-temperature areas, enabling the quickest possible cooling of these critical zones.
The CleanAir system, true to its name, functions as an advanced air purification solution. Firefighters face a significantly increased risk of cancer due to prolonged exposure to hazardous fireground conditions. To address this, the 6th-generation Panther fire truck was the first in the series to integrate this air purification technology, ensuring a safer and healthier workspace for firefighters. The system demonstrates outstanding precision in its detailed design and implementation.
Conclusion
Why isn’t an 8×8 Black Panther airport fire truck deployed for urban firefighting? While its advanced technology and capabilities are indeed outstanding, urban operations have different vehicle requirements. Furthermore, its base price (excluding optional equipment) is quite high. Additionally, in the firefighting field, the concept of specialized vehicles for specific tasks is well-established; Different scenarios naturally demand different vehicle types. We believe the CSCTRUCK Fire Rescue Truck will also be a trustworthy choice!
