Aerospace
Airbus has successfully tested a firefighting kit on the A400M.
During a flight test campaign in Spain, Airbus successfully tested a removable firefighting demonstrator kit on the A400M new generation airlifter. @AirbusDefence #A400M #FireFighter
Getafe, 26 July 2022 –During a flight test campaign in Spain, Airbus successfully tested a removable firefighting demonstrator kit on the A400M new generation airlifter.
The testing was done in daylight, with a minimum operational height of 150 feet, flight speeds as low as 125 knots, and drops of up to 20 tonnes of water from the current tank in less than 10 seconds.
The campaign’s major goal is to validate the drop water quantity and time, as well as the A400capacity M’s to perform this new function with the kit.
The prototype was developed and tested in close coordination with the Spanish Air Force’s 43rd Group, as well as European authorities in firefighting operations and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO).
“The creation of this firefighting equipment is an integral element of our journey to help create a more sustainable and safer society, not only through our activities but also via our goods.”
“We are confident that the A400M will play a critical role in combating the ever-increasing threat posed by wildfires and assisting in the restoration of social and environmental systems,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
The Airbus firefighting solution created for the A400M is a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) kit that requires no modification to the aircraft and therefore is interchangeable to any aircraft in the A400M fleet.
The water is stored in a fixed tank in the cargo hold, and retained by two independent doors. These doors are connected to two flood pipes, so when the discharge is triggered, the water is expelled through two sections at the end of the ramp.
The introduction of this RORO solution allows a rapid reaction to unforeseen fires and reconfiguration of the aircraft to any of its other roles.
Due to its low level flight capability and maneuverability at low speeds, the A400M can accurately drop payloads of water at very low heights, down to 150ft.
In the future, in addition to the development of the production version of this kit, Airbus will analyze this operation also in night time conditions, reinforcing the efficiency and effectiveness of the mission.
To download audiovisual material to complement this announcement please click here.
@AirbusDefence #A400M #FireFighter
