Do we need bigger amphibian water bombers? (3 Viewers)

[Admiral Beez]

Given the wildfires across Canada and the US, does North America need an amphibious water bomber larger than the twin-engine Canadair CL-215/415?

The Russians, for example have the much larger Beriev Be-200 and the Chinese the AVIC AG600M, while Japan is proposing a water bomber variant of their ShinMaywa US-2. The later two of these larger water bombers are four engined.

Japan's ShinMaywa floats fire-fighting US-2 amphibian

Japan's ShinMaywa Industries has unveiled specifications for a fire-fighting variant...

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Crimea_River]

In my opinion, no. We need to be expanding 415 production, taking more orders, and clearing backlogs.

 

[Admiral Beez]

In my opinion, no. We need to be expanding 415 production, taking more orders, and clearing backlogs.

More is better, for certain. Now that the smaller Viking Aircraft has taken over the tooling from Bombardier I don't expect production of new aircraft to exceed a few units annually. It's now produced in Calgary, remained the DHC-515 Firefighter, near you? Perhaps a co-manufacturer is needed.

 

[ThomasP]

Is de Havilland not big enough? I remember reading that they were building a new plant in Wheatland County, Alberta, but I do ot know how far along it is.