Posted on 12/03/2009 11:00:25 AM PST by Reaganesque
Get ready for a firefighting vehicle that might have arrived from your old Saturday morning GI Joe cartoons. Yanko has showcased an ATV design by Liam Ferguson that can carry remotely-operated water cannons and a two-person crew into the heart of a raging blaze, and emerge unscathed.
Firefighters currently rely on modified Toyota Landcruisers or other utility vehicles for doing recon on hotspots. Those work well in a pinch for navigating rough terrain, but carry only a meager water supply of 500 liters and cannot survive a burnover when flames suddenly sweep over the area.
The proposed Amatoya vehicle would use aerogel laminated insulation for its windows and body, and a temperature-controlled spray down system which draws on an auxiliary water tank specifically dedicated to that purpose. Military-grade thermo ceramic paint would swell upon heat exposure and add some sacrificial protection.
Driver and cannon operator would have central, forward and high seats, not unlike the cabin of an Apache assault helicopter. The cannon operator could control twin cannons that aim at hotspots detected by a thermal imaging camera and directional spotlights.
Amatoya also holds its own 1,800-liter water supply, as well as the 400-liter auxiliary water tank. Unlike current recon vehicles that can become prone to rollovers due to top-heavy water loads, Amatoya's design would position the water tanks central and low within the vehicle.
The vehicle design by Liam Ferguson includes four-wheel drive and plenty of suspension and ground clearance to deal with fire-broken terrain. Central tire inflation and run-flat tire technology would ensure that the vehicle does not get stuck in a dangerous location.
Tiny recon bots, aerial drones and massive supertankers have all surfaced recently as relatively new firefighting tools. But the Amatoya concept might outshine all of them just based on looks -- although there's no word on cost.
More pics...
It looks nice, but it still has tires. In a wildfire situatuon, those tires are still vulnerable to igniting. I have to wonder how much use this thing would be after the tire carcasses had burned off leaving only the rims. This might be better off with “tweels” mounted.
If society collapses, I imagine this could be slightly modified and sent into the wilds of Idaho to hunt down any Randy Weaver types who don’t want to give up their guns.
Are you kidding? That thing has "redneck" written all over it! I want two. For deer season.
Can you imagine this thing with two, twin .50 cals? LOL!
Beer?
Rum?
“Daddy, it’s my turn in the back seat!” “No, it’s mine!” “Mine!” “Mine!!”
Pffft.
P.S. - I don’t see any room for 475 gallons (!) of H20 on that little thing.
Where does that thing hide 1,800 liters of water if a Toyota Land Cruiser can only hold 500??? Does it tow a container of some sort???
The cannons are for hot spots, not big fires. Its a scout vehicle.
Hmm...what kind of glass do you use to serve that?
Maybe they are lying and the whole thing is a fraud. They said it is distributed in the centre and lower sections to keep it from be top heavy. An irregular shaped tank is probably formed around the bottom of the seats, etc.
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