Polaris Government and Defense DAGOR Vehicle Delivers Extreme, Off-Road and Air Transportable Firefighting Power for the USAF

August 26, 2025

-

The DAGOR vehicle, an off-road and air transportable tactical mobility platform from Polaris Government and Defense, is redefining expeditionary firefighting. With a request from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), ADS partnered with Ward Apparatus to create the Ward Mobile Airfield Rescue Kit (Ward MARK-1), using the Polaris DAGOR, to deliver a first-of-its-kind off-road firefighting vehicle. These trusted names in innovative emergency response vehicle manufacturing have pioneered a compact, rugged and versatile military-grade firetruck that is C-130 internally transportable and sling loadable for rapid deployment anywhere in the world.

The USAF needed a rugged, off-road fire truck that could function in extreme temperatures, navigate through rough terrain, carry all necessary firefighting equipment – and be easily loaded and transported via a C-130 or sling loaded beneath a helicopter. The Polaris family of light tactical vehicles, including DAGOR, already support operations across the U.S. and our allies, meeting off-road mobility, durability and air transportability requirements. Working directly with USAF, Ward Apparatus and ADS transformed the Polaris DAGOR vehicle into a firefighting apparatus for the most demanding environments.

“This has been an incredible process working with our team at Ward, the U.S. Air Force, Polaris, ADS and all the individual suppliers to develop this very unique custom solution. It is an honor to be recognized as an innovative leader within the fire industry and to be involved in helping keep our U.S. Air Force safe and providing them with this equipment,” said Scott Beecher, owner and CEO of Ward Apparatus.

Designed for pilot rescue and contingency location team support, the Ward MARK-1 boasts capabilities specific for Air Force fire and rescue missions. This includes all essential pilot egress tools, a water capacity of 150 gallons, providing ample suppression capability for vast fire scenarios, a 95-gallons per minute pump to support efficient water supply and is equipped with a high and low-flow bumper turret for added versatility. The vehicle includes hoses and a sump pump for drafting from water sources, plus a large diameter hose for refilling or connecting to hydrants. Designed to carry up to three operators, the vehicle also includes a litter basket for secure and efficient patient transport – all while retaining the rugged durability and capabilities DAGOR is known for.

In just 24 months, the Ward MARK-1 went from concept to completion. Production continues and fielding has begun, with the U.S. Air Force positioning them at remote airfields around the world in support of off-road fire and rescue missions. 

Polaris designs and manufactures the most capable light tactical and all-terrain military vehicles available. The company’s expertise in light off-road mobility has produced the MV850, MRZR D, MRZR Alpha and DAGOR. Polaris vehicles support more than 60 military forces worldwide, which is a testament to the capability gap these vehicles fulfill. These platforms provide unmatched off-road capability, intuitive operation, streamlined maintenance, air transportability and are supported globally by the worldwide presence of Polaris dealers and distributors.

Source : Polaris Industries Inc.