Coulson partners with Kawak to launch Black Hawk aircraft platform

According to Coulson Aviation, its Firefighting Black Hawk aircraft platform will feature several modernization innovations to increase operational capabilities and safety. Features include a redesigned Retardant Aerial Delivery System III (RADS-III) belly tank system developed in partnership with Kawak Aviation. While it continues to carry 1,000gal (3,800L), the system is lighter, includes an updated control system, utilizes a faster pump system that reduces tank filling to 40 seconds, can better execute dense drop patterns, and corrects vibration issues common on the S-70 with the older tank.

Coulson Aviation President and COO Britton Coulson commented: “The original firefighting Black Hawk was first brought to market more than 25 years ago, and there has been no innovation or significant improvement on the platform since.

“By leveraging our design, manufacturing, installation, and operating experience, we’ve made several significant improvements to not only boost the aircraft’s capabilities and safety but also provide access to the platform within various budgets. Partnering with Kawak is a big piece of that work.”

The Vice President of Business Development at Kawak, Andrew Mills, added: “Kawak’s culture is steeped in innovation, and when we brought the RADS-III into our portfolio in 2011, we knew we had an extraordinary opportunity to improve the dated system to make it more efficient and effective for operators.

“As the IP [intellectual property] owner of the RADS system, Coulson was the ideal partner to support designing an updated S-70i- and UH-60-compatible system that increases efficiency and performance for operators.”

Other Coulson Firefighting Black Hawk modernizations include extended landing gear to accommodate the belly-mounted tank and Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filters for increased engine protection, reliability, and efficient operation. The aircraft also features next-generation night vision goggles (NVG) technology, avionics, and onboard cameras to support reduced pilot workload while increasing situational awareness.

Coulson Aviation was recently announced as the first aviation company approved to provide training in aircraft structures at one of 20 Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) across Canada.