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Seven new airtankers planned for US Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is contemplating acquiring up to seven new production commercial aircraft to serve in a multi-mission capacity. (dcnewsroom.blogspot.com) More...
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Like so many other things the government does, this multi-role concept obviously comes from government desk jockeys. Multi-role is synonymous to diminishing each desired role capability in an effort to sell a project. The national interests would be far better served to purchase seven dedicated waterbombers like the Bombardier 415 Superscooper capable of continuous intervention by the ability to scoop and fly. They could then buy or lease a C-130 (or make a deal with the Air Force) to fly the firefighters and their equipment.
Looks like the way the requirements are written they want to specifically exclude the 415. Could that be another NIH syndrome? (Not Invented Here)
I was looking to see of those 7 are the C-130s migrating from the USCG. Apparently this is not the case.
So far, I think I found the doc to which the post alluded:
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8b9cb321fdeb2702ac7eaeef86143c3b&tab=core&_cview=1
The specs are here:
https://www.fbo.gov/utils/view?id=b0c156591bbb0e041af939415fcb3dbf
New airframe, less than 25 hours.
The belly of the beast: Multi-Mission Aircraft payload area will require internal dimensions of at least 480 inches long, 103 inches tall, and 108 inches wide in order to accommodate a single MAFFS II unit weighing 15,000 pounds, the support trailer or other palletized cargo in support of MAFFS. Does that exclude the Bombardier 415?
I thought ANC had a total of 8 MAFFS units. How many does USFS or private contractors have?
So far, I think I found the doc to which the post alluded:
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8b9cb321fdeb2702ac7eaeef86143c3b&tab=core&_cview=1
The specs are here:
https://www.fbo.gov/utils/view?id=b0c156591bbb0e041af939415fcb3dbf
New airframe, less than 25 hours.
The belly of the beast: Multi-Mission Aircraft payload area will require internal dimensions of at least 480 inches long, 103 inches tall, and 108 inches wide in order to accommodate a single MAFFS II unit weighing 15,000 pounds, the support trailer or other palletized cargo in support of MAFFS. Does that exclude the Bombardier 415?
I thought ANC had a total of 8 MAFFS units. How many does USFS or private contractors have?
