Game Aerospace GB2 completes successful first flight

Game Aerospace announced the successful first flight of the GB2, the first purpose-built firefighting aircraft developed in the USA.

Conducted from Louise Thaden Field in Bentonville, Arkansas, the flight marks a major milestone in the aircraft’s development. The GB2 performed as expected and completed all planned initial evaluations.

The prototype has an empty weight of 6,050lbs and has a maximum gross weight of 19,000lbs, providing an exceptional payload fraction.

It carries 1,200gal of mission payload and 400gal of fuel, while its two-seat cockpit supports training and operational flexibility.

“The GB2’s successful first flight is the result of years of engineering, craftsmanship, and dedication from our entire team, as well as great collaboration with the FAA,” said Philipp Steinbach, CEO, Co-Founder, and Test Pilot, Game Aerospace. “Our goal is to provide the world’s most cost-effective aerial firefighting solution – an aircraft designed from the outset around the mission.”

Flight testing will now progress as Game Aerospace advances the GB2 toward FAA Part 23 standard-category certification and production.

CAURUS Technologies’ sensor system for aerial firefighting had its first live test in Norway recently.