Canadian manufacturer Viking Air will develop a firefighting system for the Twin Otter turbo-prop utility after signing a contract to design and build a tank system.
Viking announced yesterday that it had signed a partnership with PAL Aerospace Canada to design, manufacture and install the Twin Otter Fire Attack System for DHC-6 300 and 400 aircraft.
PAL will design the system to enable Twin Otters to change easily between firefighting operations and the type's more traditional missions such as passenger and freight transport. The system will have a capacity of 2650 litres of water or retardant.
“We are happy to work with PAL Aerospace to provide our operators the ability to utilise our DHC-6 Twin Otter for specialised aerial firefighting missions,” said Benjamin Carson, Viking Air Director of Customer Support Operations. “As the OEM, we work to continuously enhance the aircraft we support, providing our customers with ongoing fleet sustainment activities and upgrades.”
The Twin Otter Fire Attack System will complement Viking's range of Canadair CL-215, CL-215T and CL-415 aerial firefighting amphibians and is due to enter service next year.