Leonardo has unveiled a new firefighting configuration for its C-27J Spartan New Generation cargo aircraft. The airlifter is equipped with a roll-on/roll-off modular airborne firefighting system (MAFFS II).
Leonardo says that a standard C-27J in tactical transport configuration can be converted into an aerial firefighter with a capacity of over 8,000 litres of water, or 7,600 litres of fire retardant, in 90 minutes. The company underlines that the proposed system has lower purchasing and operating costs than a dedicated firefighting platform. The system consists of installing a removable tank in the aircraft’s cargo bay. A complete set of tools includes a pressurised tank, an outlet nozzle, a pressurised door, and a ground support system.
The United Aeronautical Corporation developed the MAFFS II for the C-27J Spartan.
The manufacturer says that the new firefighting configuration is intended to provide firefighting operators with lower operating and purchasing costs for operators than a dedicated firefighting platform. The aircraft can be reconfigured for emergency support transport, medevac and equipment/supplies delivery missions following the end of firefighting missions.
The C-27J can be configured in MPA (Maritime Patrol), ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) and C3ISR (Command-Control-Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) mode.
