Dart Aerospace is partnering with United Rotorcraft to develop a firefighting system for the Airbus Super Puma family of helicopters including the H225 and AS332. The system will feature an external belly-mounted water tank with a 1056 USG capacity and cockpit system controls. United Rotorcraft also will develop multi-mission equipment packages for operator-specific requirements. The companies are aiming for certification via STC approval from the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada.
Separately, the companies both produce similar aerial firefighting capabilities for other Type 1 helicopters. The new Super Puma system will provide the market with additional wildfire attack capability for Type 1 rotorcraft, where there is an estimated 25 percent capacity gap globally. Working together, the companies will identify and meet additional market requirements for targeted users including government agencies and commercial operators.
“Our purpose at United Rotorcraft is to provide emergency responders the tools needed to save lives, and protect property and the environment—something that we share at our core with Dart Aerospace,” said United Rotorcraft President Larry Alexandre. Air Methods unit United Rotorcraft currently produces the Firehawk modification for the Sikorsky S-70, an aircraft in use with a variety of operators worldwide including Cal Fire. Dart currently manufactures aerial firefighting equipment for Airbus, Bell, Boeing, and Leonardo helicopters.