Lockheed Martin Launches LM-100J 'FireHerc' Firefighting Airtanker
IsraelDefense
| 19/07/2018
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has introduced the LM-100J "FireHerc," a civil-certified firefighting airtanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules, at Farnborough International Airshow (FIAS). The LM-100J is an updated version of the legacy L-100 commercial Hercules freighter.
"With the presence of wildfires increasing on a global scale, there is a real-time need to provide more advanced assets to protect our people, communities, and environment," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. "As a variant of the C-130J Super Hercules, the FireHerc delivers a powerful combination of established performance advantages and innovative technology that will truly change the way we fight and defeat wildfires."
The FireHerc's straight-wing design and turboprop power plant allows it to excel in supporting the challenging low-level, low-speed firefighting mission profile, the company said in a release.
The FireHerc can support two different retardant dispersion solutions: the gravity-drop based Coulson Aviation RADS Product Line or the pressure-type dispersal Modular Aerial Firefighting System II (MAFFS II). Both have been certified by the US Forest Service on the Hercules platform to meet strict ground coverage standards.
The new airtanker has advanced flight deck avionics that provide improved situational awareness and modern safety features to protect and guide flight crews through challenging conditions. The aircraft can also operate at night, allowing responders to combat fires on a 24/7 cycle.
Photo: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has introduced the LM-100J "FireHerc," a civil-certified firefighting airtanker variant of the C-130J Super Hercules, at Farnborough International Airshow (FIAS). The LM-100J is an updated version of the legacy L-100 commercial Hercules freighter.
"With the presence of wildfires increasing on a global scale, there is a real-time need to provide more advanced assets to protect our people, communities, and environment," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. "As a variant of the C-130J Super Hercules, the FireHerc delivers a powerful combination of established performance advantages and innovative technology that will truly change the way we fight and defeat wildfires."
The FireHerc's straight-wing design and turboprop power plant allows it to excel in supporting the challenging low-level, low-speed firefighting mission profile, the company said in a release.
The FireHerc can support two different retardant dispersion solutions: the gravity-drop based Coulson Aviation RADS Product Line or the pressure-type dispersal Modular Aerial Firefighting System II (MAFFS II). Both have been certified by the US Forest Service on the Hercules platform to meet strict ground coverage standards.
The new airtanker has advanced flight deck avionics that provide improved situational awareness and modern safety features to protect and guide flight crews through challenging conditions. The aircraft can also operate at night, allowing responders to combat fires on a 24/7 cycle.
