A220 300 Fire Fighter

The Airbus A220-300 FMR for FIRE MULTI ROLE is the first European jet to be developed to fight fires. For several years, the European manufacturer has sought to design a water bomber plane capable of carrying more than 14 tonnes of water or retardant to support the lighter aircraft already on site.
It was in 2017, when the Canadian aircraft manufacturer approached Airbus due to many financial problems, that the European manufacturer saw the CS 220 as named at the time, an aircraft that could perfectly meet their requirements.

This project was proposed to the Canadian manufacturer who declined the offer.
Engineers began to work seriously on the project when Airbus acquired 75% of the shares on February 13, 2020 for the sum of C $ 600 million.
A first version of the A220-100 was proposed to the design office which rejected the project, ensuring that the payload would be done despite the autonomy.
A second version was proposed a few weeks later. This time if it is the A220-300 which was proposed. The design office satisfied with this version validated the project.
A financial plan was therefore put in place for the launch of a prototype.
The design of a test aircraft was to be launched during the month of July 2020, but the COVID-19 health crisis abruptly halted the progress of the project. It was not until May 2021 that the project came back to life.

After formalizing the launch of the A220-300 FMR in July 2021 at a conference in Hamburg (Germany), French civil security took an interest in this new device, which could provide the necessary support to the firefighter on the ground. , but also to Canadair / Dash and Tracker during major forest fires. What also appeals to civil security is that this aircraft is the most sophisticated in its category with a lot of technology, in particular the head-up display, which could undoubtedly help pilots during their maneuvers.
A press release stipulating the possibility of an order was sent to Airbus in September 2021. After several weeks of discussion, French civil security placed an order for 2 aircraft. It becomes the first relief organization to order. The order is to be placed at the end of October 2021.

The first prototype should see the light of day at the end of May 2022 to begin the first test flights for its certification.
The aircraft number 01 will be registered F-ZGKA should join the Nîmes air base during the month of February 2023.
The number 02 aircraft registered F-ZGKB meanwhile should enter service in October 2023.
The two planes will be placed in Nîmes.

In the FIRE FIGHTER configuration, the A220-300 will be able to carry 14,000 liters or 14,000 kg of water or retardant in two separate bunkers placed on each side of the cabin at the level of the wings for optimal centering. The filling of these compartments will be carried out on the right side of the fuselage. About 90 seconds will be needed to fill them in their entirety. The release will be through four openings located under the fuselage. They can be opened one by one, two by two or all four at the same time depending on the needs on site. In this configuration, the device will offer an autonomy of 04 hours and 20 minutes during an aerial lookout operation. A lowered range during fire fighting operations, around 3:25 hours of flight could then be achieved.
The aircraft will also offer the possibility of accommodating 120 passengers in PAX configuration. (The tanks will have to be dismantled and the cabin reassembled. About 8 hours of work will be necessary.)
A MEDEVAC version will also be available in order to be able to carry out light medical evacuations with a capacity of 8 stretchers maximum. (The tanks will have to be dismantled, and the cabin rearranged. About 5 hours of work will be necessary.)