FY 2023 STATEMENT OF NEED 

Weapons Systems and Platform (WP) Program Area 

The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to identify and develop per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free firefighting formulations that approach the performance characteristics detailed in the lates revision of MIL PRF 24385 and can enhance fire-suppression performance across multiple scenarios. Specifically, the goal was to develop PFAS-free firefighting formulations that is effective under one or more of the following scenarios:

• Firefighting operations at extreme temperatures (as low as 32 degrees F and up to 125 degrees F).
• Firefighting operations involving various fuels to include polar solvents, gasoline, or gasoline alcohol blends.
• Firefighting operations with salt and freshwater.

The projects listed below were selected to address the objectives of this SON. Additional information on individual projects can be found by clicking the project title.

• PFAS-Free Formulations for Fuel Fire-Fighting in Extreme Temperature Applications
  • Lead Investigator: Krishnaswamy Rangan, Materials Modification, Inc.
• Improved PFAS-Free Foams Tested Under Extreme Conditions
  • Lead Investigator: Sumaer Kamboj, ADA Technologies,Inc.
• Bi-disciplinary Enhancement of Surfactant Trisiloxanes for Fluorine-Free Firefighting Formulations (BEST-4F)
  • Lead Investigator: Timothy Schutt, US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center
• Characterization of the Effects of Fuel Vapor Composition on the Performance of PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam Formulations
  • Lead Investigator: Braden Giordano, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
• Evaluation of New Class of Self-Intumescent Surfactants which have both Flame Retardant and Foaming Agent Properties in Extreme Environments
  • Lead Investigator: Robert Kasowski, PN Solutions, Inc.
• Metallosurfactants and Transition Metal Coordinated Surfactants as Foam Stabilizers to Enhance Foam Compatibility with Fuel Vapors at Extreme Operations Temperatures
  • Lead Investigator: Jaspreet Dhau, Molekule, Inc.

Research should develop formulations that enable sustained manufacture and use of fire suppression technologies by meeting environmental requirements while maintaining equivalent performance to ensure safety of DoD personnel at airfields, onboard ships, and while deployed in extreme environments.