The Pentagon decided to pay more serious attention to the training of military fire brigades. It is reported that this is due to the consequences of a fire at the UDC USS Bonhomme Richard. A fire was extinguished on this battleship at the naval base in San Diego for several days. At the same time, the word "extinguished" in this context looks somewhat inappropriate due to the fact that the ship was irregularly watered with water, which in no way prevented the spread of fire, for example, through its electrical wiring. As a result, Bonhomme Richard burned out completely, after which it was decided to abandon its expensive restoration, write off the Wasp-class ship and then cut it for scrap.
To improve the effectiveness of firefighting, the United States decided to improve and largely change the training program. Not so long ago, training drills were held for fire brigades of the US Navy, in which laser technology was used. In this regard, the question may arise, how can a laser help extinguish a fire?
In this case, the laser system is not used for fire extinguishing, but to simulate the so-called water cone, which is formed when using fire extinguishing fittings. The green light of the laser exactly imitates the parameters of this cone (the diverging flow of water when leaving the hose - the fire barrel). In this case, the system itself is equipped with speakers. This is done to simulate the noise of water during a firefighting exercise.
US Navy sailors conducted laser training sessions at the USS Bataan UDC. This is the "twin" of the same USS Bonhomme Richard, which burned down last summer in San Diego. USS Bataan has been in service with the US Navy since 1997. His home port is Norfolk.
The complete version of the fire extinguishing simulation system is called Attack (Lion Attack). In addition to the aforementioned laser and audio support complex, it includes digital analyzers, smoke generators, panels for simulating an open flame.
The company itself describes the operation of the system as follows:
Infrared light and laser light are emitted from the nozzle and interact with the Attacks' self-generating digital flame - just like a water-based hose interacts with a real fire. When using the digital nozzle while Attack is in laser mode, the fire can only be brought down if the trainee uses the correct hose technique with a controlled water pressure.
This, as noted, allows without the use of real water (other extinguishing substances) and real fire in detail to work out the fire extinguishing technique in various conditions, including small rooms.
The Pentagon believes that such equipment will allow the US military to better prepare "for a real encounter with fire on warships."
An example of how the system works: