Phenix teams up with Helitak
The two companies will work to configure Phenix’s Ultra 2XL heavy-lift drone for use as an aerial firefighter
Phenix Solutions has selected Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment to support the development of a firefighting configuration for its Ultra 2XL uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV).
The strategic collaboration with Helitak – announced at HAI HELI-EXPO thisweek – is intended to turn the Ultra 2XL remotely piloted rotorcraft into a “formidable fire suppression tool”.
Phenix stated that it will fit an Ultra 2XL with one of Helitak’s expandable fire tank systems ahead of “rigorous flight testing” later this year.
“This joint effort with the Helitak team marks a significant leap forward for Phenix solutions and the Ultra 2XL,” said Brian Riese, President and CEO of Phenix Solutions. “Leveraging the Helitak expertise and their high-quality, lightweight, and robust design will enable us to effectively meet our operators’ diverse mission requirements, now [including] fire suppression.”
While UAVs are becoming more commonplace in the world of aerial firefighting, they are traditionally relegated to ‘eye in the sky’ roles, rather than being used to carry water or retardant. The Greek government announced plans to use a fleet of drones for wildfire surveillance in September of last year.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.