Leonardo unveils C-27J firefighting configuration

Leonardo says that a standard C-27J in tactical transport configuration can be converted into an aerial firefighter with capacity of over 8,000 liters of water, or 7,600 liters of fire retardant, in 90 minutes.

The configuration’s second-generation roll-on/roll-off modular airborne firefighting system (MAFFS II) was developed by the United Aeronautical Corporation, and includes a pressurized tank, an outlet nozzle, a pressurized door and a ground support system.

The manufacturer says that the new firefighting configuration is intended to provide firefighting operators lower operating and purchasing costs for operators than a dedicated firefighting platform. In addition, the ability to rapidly reconfigure the aircraft following the end of firefighting missions offers a higher level of versatility than single-configuration aerial firefighters, enabling the C-27J to be used for emergency support, transport, medevac and equipment/supplies delivery missions when necessary.

The firefighting configuration further expands the functionality of the C-27J, with the aircraft also offering maritime patrol; anti-submarine warfare; and command-control-communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C3ISR) configurations.

The new configuration was designed in response to growing demand for lower-cost aerial firefighting solutions, as the growing problem of wildfires stimulates innovation around the world.