Do we need bigger amphibian water bombers?

[GreenKnight121]

Update on this topic:

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings announced a deal on the 25th of March with Positive Aviation, to act as the exclusive North American launch customer for a water-scooping conversion of the ATR 72-600.

Press release: Bridger Aerospace and Positive Aviation Announce Joint Partnership for the Development of Water Scooping Aircraft

The conversion puts a couple of big floats/scoops on an ATR 72. Capacity of 8,000 liters/2,110 US gal. MTOW of 23,000 kg.

Looks interesting and a little silly at the same time, but if it works it works. Expected to be flying around 2028.

PA looks like its got a bunch of former Airbus engineers behind it - lot of people with 15+ years seniority working on big commercial jets and VIP/corporate aircraft conversions. They're based at Toulouse Blagnac, which is also home to ATR and Airbus production facilities.

Positive Aviation - FF72

Positive aviation is presenting FF72

positive-aviation.com

 

[SaparotRob]

Airbus also partnering with Hynaero to build a CL-415-type aircraft - the Fregate F100.

Airbus Teams Up With French Firefighting Amphibian Developer | Aviation Week Network

Hynaero, which was established in 2023, is trying to develop its Fregate-F100 twin-turboprop amphibian with Airbus.

aviationweek.com

https://simpleflying.com/airbus-partners-hynaero-future-amphibious-firefighter/

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Sweet!