News & commentary about aerial firefighting, air tankers, and helicopters

Embraer has successfully completed the flight test certification campaign for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), which provides the C-390 Millennium with the ability to drop water or retardant on wildfires. The tests were carried out at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, in Brazil. After full certification, the firefighting capability will be available to the aircraft’s operators.

The MAFFS II can discharge up to 3,000 gallons. It is designed to interface with the aircraft’s Cargo Handling System and requires only aircraft power to operate. The conclusion of these tests, which included several in-flight water drops, proved the system’s ability to integrate with the aircraft, and demonstrated suitable aspects of flight quality and maneuverability at low speeds.

When the first C-390 or KC-390 rolled out of the factory in 2014 and had not yet completed its first flight, Embraer was comparing it to the American-built C-130, saying it would be multi-role, including serving as an air tanker. Their web site included an artist’s conception of the aircraft outfitted with a first generation MAFFS, with two nozzles exiting through the open rear cargo ramp. The MAFFS II pumps the water or retardant out the troop door on the left side, as seen in the recent photos from Embraer.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom.

Typos, let us know HERE. And, please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment.

A Brazilian Herc knockoff with an oversized super soaker blasting aft. What progressive vision.

How is a new two-engine turbofan aircraft a “herc knockoff” of a four-engine turboprop design (that’s 68 years old)? There is quite literally NO similarity between a C-130, and the C390. The closest one might cite is that they’re roughly the same size.

Embraer has a reputation for building good aircraft. Their regional airliners are very popular, and I have yet to meet anyone with any time in the E-jets that has anything but very positive things to say about them.

A manufacturer pursues engineering, research, and testing of an airborne firefighting system in a current-production, modern airplane, and there’s complaint?

The C390 won’t likely be economically viable for purchase by private contractors, who make the bulk of the fire community in the US, but for those operators of the C390 around the world, who might have use for an additional application, certainly the airframe manufacturer’s pursuit of testing the role is proactive and not a bad thing.

Something can be useful without being a product of “progressive vision.”

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