Spain orders airborne firefighters

The Spanish government has placed an order worth approximately €40.7m with Bombardier for two Bombardier 415 amphibious firefighting aircraft.

Bombardier Aerospace

announced yesterday that the Spanish government has placed a firm order for two Bombardier 415 amphibious firefighting aircraft.

Based on list prices, the contract is valued at approximately $60m (€40.7m) and includes technical support, training, one Flight Training Device (FTD) and additional equipment for the current fleet.

With this firm order, the Spanish government will increase its fleet to 22 Bombardier amphibious firefighting aircraft. It currently operates one Bombardier 415, 14 CL-215T and five CL-215 aircraft. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2008. The FTD will be delivered in 2009.

The Bombardier 415 firefighter has a maximum speed of 224mph (359km/h). In an average mission of six nautical miles (11km) distance from water to fire, it can complete nine drops within an hour and deliver 55,233 litres of fire suppressant.