The US Army requirement for a replacement for Halon 1301

The ban on production of Halon 1301 has serious implications for the U.S. Army. Since the early 1980s, the Army has used Halon 1301 flooding systems for fire protection in both the crew and engine compartments of ground combat vehicles. The ability of Halon 1301 to quench combat-induced fires in crew compartments quickly, so that personnel do not receive burn injuries, is of prime importance. It may be difficult to meet this performance in a replacement agent The Army is conducting research and test programs seeking to identify an acceptable replacement agent. In addition, the Army is investigating passive approaches, such as using jackets of conventional fire extinguishing agents to surround fuel cells to provide fire protection through prevention of fire rather than by extinguishing fires after initiation.