Airbus Defence and Space has announced the successful completion of a series of test drops and demonstrations of its A400M firefighting demonstrator kit. The tests took place in Nîmes-Garons, France, and were conducted by the Entente-Valabre’s Test and Research Centre (CEREN), a French public institution approved by the Ministry of the Interior to assess forest firefighting equipment.
The campaign, which concluded at the end of April 2025, involved multiple drops by the A400M over a designated section of an airfield. These tests enabled CEREN to evaluate the system’s capabilities in terms of retardant distribution and concentration upon reaching the ground. During these operations, the aircraft flew at altitudes under 30 meters (98 feet) and speeds around 230 km/h (125 knots).
The A400M Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) firefighting kit provides operational advantages not previously available on the market. Its design allows any A400M aircraft to be rapidly converted for firefighting missions without permanent modifications. The system can discharge up to 20,000 liters of water or retardant through its rear ramp and can be refilled in less than 10 minutes using standard ground pumps. The aircraft’s ability to operate from short and unpaved runways enhances its flexibility for missions close to fire zones.
Jo Müller, Head of Sustainability and Communications at Airbus Defence and Space, stated: “Following initial tests conducted in Spain, the successful completion of these tests in Nîmes is a crucial step forward in our ambition to shape an ecosystem of firefighting capabilities. The A400M’s exceptional versatility, combined with the rapid deployment capabilities of this kit, offers a game-changing asset to complement existing technologies and platforms on the ground, in air and in space.”
Airbus Defence and Space remains committed to offering comprehensive aerial firefighting solutions that align with their decarbonization goals while addressing global wildfire challenges.
