Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) are portable 3,000 gallon fire retardant delivery systems that can be inserted into military C-130 transport planes, temporarily converting them into firefighting airtankers.
How many MAFFS are there?
8 MAFFS
How many MAFFS units are there and who owns them? There are a total of 8 MAFFS systems ready for operational use, plus one spare. They are owned by the U.S. Forest Service and are available for use in military C-130 H and J model aircraft by flight crews trained in this mission.
How much fire retardant does a C-130 hold?
MAFFS stands for Modular Airborne Firefighting System and is essentially a storage tank loaded inside the C-130 so it can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant through the rear aircraft nozzle in less than 10 seconds across a quarter-mile line.
How much water can a C-130 hold?
– The aircraft typically carries a crew of two to six when equipped to fight fires. – It can carry 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons) of water or fire retardant, which can be released in one large drop within seconds or several smaller drops.
Who makes Maffs?
The U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the fire retardant, while the DoD provides the C-130 H and J model aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance and support personnel to fly the missions.
How long does it take to drop the entire load?
The retardant is gravity-fed out of the tanks, and the entire load can be dumped in eight seconds, although the actual drop rate is computer controlled by the flight crew in order to produce the desired retardant spread over the fire lines.
How much fire retardant does a 747 hold?
Most large air tankers carry up to 3,000 gallons of retardant. The 747 is capable of carrying far more retardant than any other. When first introduced it was listed at 20,000 gallons. Then the federal government certified it at 19,200 gallons.
Do fire planes fly at night?
Night operations will be used as an extension of day operations, meaning aircraft will be able to assist ground crews on fires for a longer period of time.
How many vehicles can fit in a C130?
The new transport would have a capacity of 92 passengers, 72 combat troops or 64 paratroopers in a cargo compartment that was approximately 41 ft (12 m) long, 9 ft (2.7 m) high, and 10 ft (3.0 m) wide.
How long can a C130 fly without refueling?
The plane’s extreme range—it can travel 7,000 miles without refueling—means it often carries multiple crews and has provisions for up to 15 relief crew members.
How long does it take to drop an entire load of fire retardant?
They can discharge their entire load of up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide, or make variable drops.
What happened to the C-130 tanker 130?
In 2002, a C-130, call sign Tanker 130 owned by Hawkins & Powers Aviation of Greybull, Wyoming and operated under contract to the United States Forest Service, had its wings fall off mid-flight as it was fighting northern Californian wildfires.
Is the C-130 a good airplane for aerial firefighting?
The C-130 is a great airplane when used for its intended mission, which not aerial firefighting. Cal Fire is taking 1950’s technology, adding outdated 1980’s technology and expecting 21st century results.
What happened to Coulson Aviation C-130?
Coulson Aviation C-130 Large Air Tanker Crashes in Australia, Killing All Three US Crew Members On Board. A file photo of a Coulson Aviation C-130 firefighting aircraft. (Image: Coulson Aviation) Aircraft Was Fighting Fires in Monaro, New South Wales.
How many gallons of fire retardant does a C-130 drop?
The 302nd Airlift Wing’s C-130 Hercules aircraft are equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s MAFFS, which is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant or water in less than 10 seconds along a quarter-mile line.
