What does Maffs stand for?
Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) are portable 3,000 gallon fire retardant delivery systems that can be inserted into military C-130 transport planes, temporarily converting them into firefighting airtankers.
How are air tankers categorized?
Air tankers are categorized by their retardant capacity, and although the MAFFS capacity is just under 3,000 US gallons (11,000 l; 2,500 imp gal), a MAFFS C-130 is considered a Type 1 air tanker, which is the largest class.
How many air tankers are in the US?
Today there are 13 large air tankers on exclusive use contracts. If protests that have been filed do not change anything, after the GAO makes their ruling due by July 15, 2020 there could be 5 more, to bring the total to 18.
How much does a firefighting helicopter cost?
Cost Comparison
| Class | Aircraft | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) | DC-10 | $55,000 |
| BAe-146 | $29,000 | |
| Helicopter | Fire Hawk | $15,800 |
| Kaman 1200 – Kmax | $13,000 |
How much fuel can an air tanker hold?
The turbofan-powered aircraft carry up to 12,000 US gallons (45,000 Liters) of water or fire retardant in an exterior belly-mounted tank, the contents of which can be released in eight seconds.
How much does a Skycrane helicopter cost?
Fairfax Media understands it costs $1.5 million to hire one Skycrane for 12 weeks. The cost of buying one new is estimated at $30 million to $40 million. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it was uneconomical to buy an air-crane.
How much does a fire Hawk cost?
The new aircraft, which came with a $26 million price tag funded by the state, will be dispatched from Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base.
How much does a KC-46 cost?
Total cost overruns for the program sit at about $5.4 billion in pre-tax charges, and all must be paid by Boeing. WASHINGTON: Boeing has tallied up a new $402 million charge on the KC-46 tanker program, the company announced today.
How much is an Erickson Skycrane?
How much water can a Firehawk carry?
1,000 gallons
Siphon, carry and release up to 8,000 pounds of water (1,000 gallons) in the aircraft’s belly tank. Drop water with high accuracy to dampen flames and help your ground firefighters advance.
What’s wrong with the KC-46?
Already years behind schedule, the KC-46 will not be certified for full operations or cleared for full-rate production until 2024 or later due to ongoing deficiencies including problems with its remote vision system. However, AMC has approved four “interim capability releases” since last July.