Embraer has successfully completed the fight test of the certification campaign for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), which provides the C-390 Millennium with the required capability to perform firefighting missions.
The tests, carried out at the Embraer facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, in Brazil, represent an important advancement in the certification campaign of this capacity by the Brazilian Military Certification Authority (IFI). After certification, the firefighting capability will be available to aircraft’s operators.
The MAFFS II is a firefighting system capable of deploying up to 3,000 gallons of water (approximately 11,300 liters), both with and without fire retardant, according to the standard ground cover level criteria and in distinct types of terrain.
Designed to interface with the aircraft’s Cargo Handling System (CHS), the MAFFS II is rapidly installed on the cargo compartment of the airplane, using only its own trailer. The system requires only aircraft power to operate.
MAFFS system was created in 1971 in response of a requirement made by the US Forest Service, for it to be able to use Lockheed C-130 aircraft from the National Guard or the Air Force Reserve in case of emergency.
The C-390 integration is the first of MAFFS system besides its original design, which brings an additional capability to a direct C-130 competitor.
