Airbus A400M fire extinguishing kit successfully tested in France

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Airbus Defence and Space has announced the successful completion of a series of test drops and demonstrations of its A400M firefighting demonstration kit in Nîmes-Garons, France.

The objective of this test campaign was to independently evaluate the effectiveness of the A400M firefighting kit. The tests were conducted by the Entente-Valabre Test and Research Center (CEREN), a French public institution authorized and recognized by the Ministry of the Interior to evaluate forest firefighting equipment and train personnel in France and abroad. CEREN is an international authority in this field.

The test campaign, which took place at the end of April, included several airdrops by the A400M over a specific area of ​​the airfield. These rigorous “cup-grid tests” allowed CEREN to precisely evaluate the system’s capabilities, including the precise distribution and concentration of extinguishing agent upon reaching the ground. During the drops, the aircraft reached altitudes of less than 30 meters and speeds of approximately 230 km/h (125 knots).

Advantages of the A400M’s Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Fire Extinguishing Kit

The A400M‘s roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) firefighting kit offers unique operational advantages not previously available on the market. Its innovative roll-on/roll-off design requires no permanent modifications to the aircraft, allowing any A400M in a fleet to be converted for firefighting missions in a very short time. Housed in the cargo bay, the system can deliver up to 20,000 liters of water or extinguishing agent by gravity via the rear ramp, with the tanks refillable in less than 10 minutes using standard ground pumps. Furthermore, the A400M’s inherent ability to take off and land on short and unpaved runways significantly enhances its flexibility, enabling operations from a variety of air bases and airfields closer to fire areas. Its design also supports high maneuverability and the potential for day and night operations under the latest safety standards.

“Following the initial tests conducted in Spain, the successful completion of these tests in Nîmes is a crucial step in our ambition to create an ecosystem of firefighting capabilities. The exceptional versatility of the A400M, combined with the rapid deployment capabilities of this kit, provides a groundbreaking asset to complement existing technologies and platforms on the ground, in the air, and in space,” said Jo Müller, Head of Sustainability and Communications, Airbus Defence and Space.

Airbus Defence and Space continues to promote a comprehensive range of aerial firefighting solutions covering both indirect and direct fire attack missions, demonstrating its commitment to decarbonisation and tackling the growing global challenge of wildfires.