Neptune Aviation Services announced the start of the conversion of the world’s first Airbus A319 tanker for wildfire fighting, in partnership with Aerotec & Concept, with service entry projected for 2027.
Two years ago, Neptune made the decision to convert the Airbus A319, following extensive research and due diligence to select the right platform. This included months of evaluation of airframes, simulated retardant drops to confirm the aircraft’s capabilities, and research into engineering companies before selecting Aerotec & Concept as its partner.
Neptune Aviation’s president, Jennifer Draughon, said that «as a leader in aerial firefighting, we are always focused on continuous improvement. Although our current fleet of BAe 146 aircraft is among the best in the industry, we began planning this upgrade two years ago as part of our commitment to delivering the best solutions to our customers.»
«The larger size of the Airbus A319 and its higher maximum takeoff weight allow for greater firefighting retardant capacity, improving operational efficiency and increasing the safety of our crews, firefighters on the ground, and the communities we protect,» Draughon added.
Johan Clochet, CEO of Aerotec & Concept, noted that «the greater capacity and advanced features of the Airbus A319 make it the ideal option for wildfire suppression. Our team is committed to ensuring that Neptune’s new fleet is optimized to deliver maximum efficiency and safety.»
«With our extensive experience in aircraft modification, we are confident that this transition will enhance Neptune’s capabilities in aerial firefighting,» he added.
Neptune Aviation becomes the first company to convert the A319 for aerial firefighting operations, which will increase the retardant capacity to a minimum of 4,500 gallons, compared to the maximum of 3,000 that the BAe 146 can currently carry. The A319 also has greater fuel capacity, which will allow Neptune to reach remote fires outside its current service window with a full payload.
The transition to the Airbus A319 fleet will be gradual over several years, and Neptune is expected to operate between 10 and 15 aircraft in its fleet, a mix of A319 and BAe 146, depending on the evolution of aerial firefighting demands.
Airbus will provide comprehensive support throughout the A319 fleet’s lifecycle, ensuring its long-term operational success, while Neptune continues to carry out extensive airflow and tank flow modeling assessments to ensure optimal performance.
Neptune has agreed to upgrade its fleet with its partners, including the USDA Forest Service, Cal Fire, and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Each of these agencies has expressed enthusiasm for the new fleet and is eager for its inclusion in the national wildfire suppression resource inventory.
