Firefighting Aircraft Modified For Rescue Work

Bombardier Aerospace says Greece's Hellenic Air Force (HAF) has taken delivery of the first of two Bombardier 415 MPs in Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration. The aircraft, which had been sold previously to the HAF, has been modified in cooperation with SAAB Nyge Aero AB of Sweden.

A variant of the rugged Bombardier 415, touted as one of the most productive fire fighting aircraft in service, the Bombardier 415 MP incorporates numerous modifications to perform surveillance missions, with the additional benefit of direct interventions at sea. Typical missions include search and rescue, maritime patrol, law enforcement and environmental control.

The Bombardier 415 MP retains the capability to carry, drop and scoop over 1,600 US gallons of water. It is fitted with sophisticated sensors to locate and identify vessels, people in distress, and pollutants. The sensor suite includes infrared and daylight cameras, a side-looking airborne radar and a nose-mounted weather and search radar. The Bombardier 415 MP can also quickly deploy a specialized jet boat that carries a rapid intervention teams of five people at almost 50 mph. The design of the mission equipment allows reconfiguration of the aircraft to transport cargo, personnel, casualties on stretchers, paratroops or underwater divers, in less than two hours.

"The Bombardier 415 MP is a very capable and cost-effective aircraft able to carry out a multitude of specialized missions that previously required dedicated aircraft," said Michel Bourgeois, President, Bombardier Amphibious Aircraft. "The advent of this new model reflects both the growing market interest in multipurpose platforms to perform a broad range of tasks in public security and civil protection, as well as Bombardier's commitment to enhancing the value proposition of its products through continuing investment."

FMI: www.bombardier.com