Key facts
- European startups are developing new and converted aircraft to combat wildfires.
- These efforts aim to replace or supplement aging Canadair water-bombers.
- Positive Aviation is using a converted ATR-72 fuselage as a testbed.
- HYNAERO plans a new Fregate-F100 scooper plane with a 10-ton capacity.
- De Havilland Canada has resumed production of the DHC-515, a new Canadair version, with delayed deliveries.
- The development of these new firefighting aircraft faces significant financial and technical challenges.
European efforts to develop new aerial firefighting capabilities are gaining momentum following a severe wildfire season that saw nearly 500,000 hectares burn across the continent. Startups are racing to design and build new or converted water-bombing aircraft, aiming to challenge the long-standing dominance of aging Canadair water-scooping planes.
French startup Positive Aviation is using a disused ATR-72 fuselage as a testbed for its design, which aims to draw eight tons of water from new floats. Kepplair, another French firm, is testing a ground-loaded tanker concept based on the ATR-72. In Italy, 19-01 Holding is promoting its WF-X amphibious plane, with assembly planned from 2031, funded privately. Belgian architect Gaetan du Four is developing the Seagle amphibious aircraft, acknowledging significant financial and industrial hurdles.
More ambitious plans include French startup HYNAERO's Fregate-F100 scooper plane, which is designed to hold 10 tons of water and is projected to be twice as efficient as a Canadair, at a similar cost of around $80 million. The company has a provisional order for 10 planes from U.S.-based Bridger Aerospace and has named Latecoere as a provisional partner.
These ventures face considerable challenges, including the high cost of research, development, certification, and factory setup, with estimates ranging from tens of millions for conversions to potentially over $1 billion for entirely new aircraft. Experts note a decline in seaplane design expertise since World War II. Meanwhile, De Havilland Canada has resumed production of a new version of the Canadair, the DHC-515, though deliveries have been delayed by three years to 2028.
Entrepreneurs express concern that political and media attention on firefighting capacity may wane quickly, potentially impacting funding and support for these critical new initiatives.