A team comprising officers from HTX’s Platform Systems Sustainment Centre and Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) Operations Department has received the Home Team Research Excellence Award for their project on the “6th Generation LFAV (LF6G) Design Journey – Engineered to support SCDF’s 3-man Concept of Operations (CONOPS).”
The latest 6th Generation Light Fire Attack Vehicle (LFAV) or LF6G, commonly known as the Red Rhino, was launched earlier this year by SCDF. It was designed and engineered to support the move from four-man to three-man operations.
Raiyan Isa, Head, Vehicles, at HTX’s Platforms Systems Sustainment Centre, who is forward-deployed to SCDF’s Logistics Department, was the technical manager for the LF6G project. The project team included LTC Tay Zhi Wei, CPT Tan Yen Soon, and CPT Stacy Lian from SCDF’s Operations Department.
LF6G design journey
The LF6G’s new capabilities leverage robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and enhanced equipment. A compact Red Rhino Robot (3R) firefighting robot operates in tandem with the LF6G. The LF6G is also equipped with two compressed air foam (CAF) trolleys. Using compressed air foam is three times more effective than water in extinguishing fires, and significantly boosts operational efficiency.
The LF6G’s re-design journey involved agile and iterative prototyping during the design and validation process. The team conducted extensive research on the three-man concept of operations and engaged SCDF frontline personnel for feedback through focus group discussions and trials.
Putting people first
“Stakeholders, especially ground users, should be consulted early and regularly to ensure project buy-in,” said Raiyan on the active discussions with all stakeholders at each step of the project.
The team’s research on the ergonomics of the LF6G included the use of human factors engineering for the positioning of displays and controls as well as equipment stowage and retrieval, and onsite prototype testing with frontline personnel.
“Human factors engineering and ergonomics are very important to ensure overall safety, comfort and operational outcomes,” Raiyan added. SCDF is also working with HTX’s Human Factors and Simulation (HF&S) Centre of Expertise on pushing experimentation that can be applied across the Home Team through the Emergency Responders’ Fitness Conditioning and Enhancement Lab (EXCEL) at the Civil Defence Academy.
“I am very proud to be part of the team and heartened that our many hours of review, research, and development work have borne fruit. What we have today is an innovative vehicle for firefighting,” Raiyan said.
“With the LF6G, SCDF frontliners will be able to carry out their life-saving missions more effectively, efficiently, and safely,” added CPT Stacy Lian.
(From left) CPT Stacy Lian, Deputy Secretary (Policy) Puah Kok Keong, and Mr Raiyan Isa at the award ceremony on August 30, 2022. (Photo: SCDF)