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Airbus Defence and Space and The Coulson Group to collaborate on C295W water bomber
Airbus Defence and Space and The Coulson Group of Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding covering the industrialization, supply and support of the new water bomber version of the Airbus C295W transport aircraft. Under the terms of the agreement The Coulson Group of Port Alberni, British Columbia through its operating company Coulson Aircrane Ltd, will develop and manufacture a version of its retardant dropping system (RDS) which is already in operation with the world’s most demanding… (skiesmag.com) Más...
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So they want something else how is that not tax dollars at work getting what you want? Also Erickson has DC9 AC coming on line that work quite well out of smaller airports for much less money. Don't know what they carry but understand the need for amount of retardant needed on fires. Another item is scoopers cannot carry retardant unless pumped on. No way to add it after filling.
http://militaryaircraft-airbusds.com/Portals/0/EasyGalleryImages/1/12/Test%20apagafuegos%20%20FOTO%20215559resz.jpg
That boils it down to price...the 415 in $37 Million complete while the basic C295 is $28 million but would require upgrades to the wings and engines plus the installation of the firefighting gear. I think the 415 is going to be the winner in most competitions after the number of fires last year and the lack of availability of some of the existing airframes.
There are no 415s owned in the USA but they leased at least 4 from Quebec during last years fires and they performed well. The US Government is wanting to buy 28 tanks each capable of holding 3,000 gallons but they must be jet powered and capable of speeds of 300 knots.
Neither of these would qualify even though they might do a better job. Your tax dollars at work.