New generations of signifi cantly improved RPG’s and Anti-tank missiles with enhanced penetration capability and extended fi ring range are being operated by radical extremist from concealed shelters or remotely by radio communications. Sophisticated explosives and sticky incendiary materials coupled with conventional propellant and explosives mixtures, create more hazardous and lethal weapons that not only penetrate the armored vehicle causing havoc and secondary fi res in the crew or engine compartments, but also stick to its exterior surface igniting the vehicle’s equipment, wheel bays, and preventing the rescue of the trapped soldiers. A re-examination of US strategy has yielded a myriad of changes aimed at developing the capabilities required to succeed in small wars or wars fought in the midst of a civilian population. The Army is in the midst of its most radical reorganization since World War II. By converting from a division-based structure the US Army is now centered on a brigade-sized element that possesses organic combat, combat support, and sustaining capabilities, thus facilitating the ability to deploy more rapidly and ensure mission readiness upon arrival. Light tactical and fast deployed vehicles, special trucks and haul assets, logistics and engineering vehicles comprise the modern units arsenal engaging the enemy in its territory. The enemy’s use of guerrilla warfare tactics coupled with the heavy traffi c of large numbers of tactical wheeled vehicles that provide logistic support, security, and command & control in contingency areas, led the Army to fulfi ll the importance of force protection. Amerex recognizes the vital role to establish multiple programs for upgrading and enhancing the various vehicles’ fi re protection systems. These systems are designed to provide suitable detection and extinguishing capabilities that address the soldier’s needs. Amerex continues to improve our systems ability to mitigate and prevent skin burns and save human lives. Our key to success is the ability to serve as a force multiplier to enable the soldier to enhance vehicle survivability and to continue operations on the battle fi eld. The multiple threats posed by fi res on or under the external surface of military vehicles require special fi re detection and suppression measures. In many cases fuel tanks sustain direct hits from missiles, RPGs or hidden explosives. A fuel spill under the vehicle may further ignite and spread to the wheel-bay and tire area causing a major fi re and potential explosion. Even if the fuel tank remains intact, the impact of the modern and improvised incendiary weapons and missiles on the vehicle external surface may ignite fl ammable equipment stored on the vehicle’s outer compartments causing a major fi re, that if not detected and suppressed in time, could destroy the entire vehicle. An in-depth testing and evaluation program conducted by the US Army included exposing the vehicles to various expected threats and selecting the optimal detection and suppression means, as well as their optimal confi guration within the vehicle. Recently, the US Army has reviewed and refi ned its requirements for fi re detection and suppression systems for the Up-Armored HMMWV (M1114) vehicle according to the present battlefi eld threats. These vehicles were not previously protected by an AFES system, and are currently being upgraded with crew and cargo compartment AFES systems designed to protect them from intentionally caused rapidly developing fuel fi res. The armored personnel wheeled vehicles family (like the Stryker and LAV) were originally outfi tted with only a basic manual engine fi re protection system, however due to their vulnerability and because of their new operational missions, they have been upgraded with modern AFES systems. Both the Stryker and the LAV variants are being equipped with automatic fi re suppressions systems for both crew and engine compartments. An accelerated procurement process has been implemented to equip the fl eet of several thousands vehicles.
