AEROSPACE AND MILITARY NEWS
Europe has committed billions to replacing its aging firefighting fleet. The replacement planes won’t arrive until the next decade. On June 4, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez flew to Nîmes-Garons Air Base and signed a contract for two additional De Havilland Canada DHC-515 water bombers. It was the kind of ceremony Europe does well: officials in front of aircraft, statements about readiness, … Read More “The Procurement Mirage “ »
By Jonathan Reed As wildfire seasons intensify across the globe, nations are rethinking how they build resilience into their aerial firefighting strategies. In Brazil, the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) has embraced a modern, modular approach — integrating the MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) into its KC-390 Millennium fleet. The result is a powerful demonstration … Read More “Built for Flexibility: Brazil’s KC-390 MAFFS in Action” »
By: Brett Richter Fighting the deadly wildfires in Southern California required a coordinated team effort—from tactical crews attacking hazardous hot spots on the ground to planes and helicopters providing fire suppression from the air. Specialized aircraft dropped massive amounts of water and colorful fire retardant to aid thousands of firefighters on the ground—some flying breathtakingly … Read More “Aerial Firefighting Efforts Played Key Role in Battling California Wildfires” »
By: Will Nance Leonardo has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in wildfire management: the C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter.” Designed to enhance aerial firefighting efforts, this twin-engine turboprop aircraft complements helicopters and amphibious scooper planes by delivering precision and efficiency. At its core is the advanced MAFFS II (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), a modular unit … Read More “Aerial Firefighting with the Leonardo C-27J Spartan” »
By: Tony Osborne After relying for decades on fleets of 1950s and ’60s-era aircraft, the firefighting industry is introducing new technologies and fleets to make their operations safer, more effective and ready to meet growing demand. The wildfire threat is worsening and is increasingly a year-round concern. Aerial-firefighting insiders no longer talk of fire seasons … Read More “New-Generation Aircraft In Development For Aerial Firefighting Missions” »
By: Jordan Hayes The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) has deployed the Embraer KC-390 Millennium for firefighting missions equipped with the Modular Aerial Firefighting System II (MAFFS II) for the first time. Previously, the FAB had only conducted training missions using this configuration, which is one of the many roles the versatile KC-390 … Read More “Embraer KC-390 MAFFS Tackles Firefighting Missions in Brazil” »
Written by: Bill McNist Slovenia’s recent celebration was nothing short of monumental as the nation welcomed its very first Leonardo C-27J Spartan Next Generation aircraft. This marked the initiation of a truly remarkable acquisition involving not just one, but two of these advanced aircraft. The excitement and anticipation surrounding this milestone in the country’s military … Read More “Slovenian Air Force Enlists Leonardo C-27J FireFighter into Its Fleet” »
152nd Airlift Wing Public AffairsStory by Master Sgt. Garrett Wake Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif — The 152nd Airlift Wing (Nevada) and 153rd Airlift Wing (Wyoming) participated in Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, spring training here from April 11 – 16, 2023. Several flight crews from both Air National Guard units … Read More “Air National Guard MAFFS units practice aerial wildland firefighting with U.S. Forest Service” »
A unique and innovative system, which allows the same aircraft fleet to be used for different purposes, thus maximizing its efficiency. This is the innovative proposal of the MAFFS Corporation, which has created a unique model based on efficiency and maximization of aerial firefighting resources. In a response to the government’s intentions to reduce disasters … Read More “A Unique Model to Fight Fire Emergencies: Interview with Bradford Beck, President of MAFFS Corporation” »
BY: STEFANO D’URSO Leonardo has released a new MAFFS driven firefighting configuration that will further expand the capabilities of the C-27J Spartan Next Generation cargo aircraft. The company was already working for some years on this project, studying the various options, but the choice in the end went to the second generation, roll-on/roll-off Modular … Read More “Leonardo Unveils New Firefighting Configuration For The C-27J Next Generation “ »
