CIAL Gets New ACFT – IVECO MARIRUS DRAGON X 6
The CIAL ARFF is poised for new heights with the induction of IVECO MARIRUS DRAGON X 6 (German Model) Air Craft fire tender, which will make the CIAL ARFF capable of Performing Rescue and fire fighting operations even in Air bus 380 type of aircrafts. This would be India’s first ACFT (Air crash Fire Tender) which is capable of delivering Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) through the Bumper Monitor. It would also be India first ACFT which can attain Speed of 80KMPH within 23 seconds. (Other ACFTs in India attain the speed at 30 sec.). With this most modern and state of the art technology in Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting which was facilitated and purchased under the visionary leadership and efforts Shri.V.J. Kurian IAS the Managing Director, CIAL is once again proving its strength in ARFF domain and also its commitment to Aviation rescue & Air safety.
The First of the two AFCTs, each of which cost Rs.6.48 cr (including customs duty), which are being purchased at a total cost of Rs.13 crs have already arrived at Cochin International Airport and the tests for Commissioning of the ACFT is in progress. The second ACFT would arrive by the middle of next month.
The ACFT uses IVECO Curser 13 model machines and there are 2 independent machines of which one can be used for pumping and the other for “Roll and pump operation” which requires the ACFT to move in forwarded and backward movement while fighting fire and pumping the compound form. It can function even on single engine in case one of the machines fails. Thus a “Twin Engine Power pack” engine is the first in India. It has 1080 Horse power which is the world’s highest in this class of vehicles. The Twin Engine Power Pack (TEP) is fitted at the rear of the vehicle.
The new ACFT which fulfills all the directions of ICAO, NFPA has a water tank with 12,500l capacity and has foam compound concentrate capacity of 1500L and will have 250kg of dry chemical powder (DCP). The Roof Mounted monitor (rotatable pump head) can throw 6000L foam per minute to a distance of 90m. The Bumper Mounted Monitor can throw 2500L per minute to a distance of 45m. The Bumper Monitor also can throw 10kg DCP per second to a distance of 30m. Its pump can throw at 10bar pressure 8000L (foam / water) per minute. It also has quick release extension ladder & pneumatic telescopic light mast which are another set of unique features of this IVECO MARIGURS DRAGON model, which makes it the latest state of the ARFF ACFT.
It has Electronic controlled Breaking system which is capable of holding even in 50 decree angle slope. It also has 7 automatic gears (6 forward & 1 reverse).
