In the increasingly challenging fight against forest fires, Leonardo offers an innovative, high-tech solution with the C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter”, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that complements helicopters and amphibious aircraft, or “scoopers,” which collect water directly from water surfaces like seas, lakes, or rivers.
Its key feature is the second-generation MAFFS II (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), a portable, roll-on/roll-off system that can be loaded and unloaded as needed in just 90 minutes. The module essentially comprises a 7,500-liter tank that can be refilled on the ground with water and retardant in under 10 minutes and a discharge nozzle extending from the left fuselage door.
Europe is one of the most complex and intricate territories from a geographic and morphological perspective, characterized by vast wildlife and natural heritage, high levels of human habitation, and sites of historical interest. According to data from the European Space Agency’s World Fire Atlas, in recent years, Portugal, Italy, Greece, France, and Spain have been hit by numerous fires. The highest number of fires was recorded in Portugal in August 2016 and October 2017.
The year 2022 was the second worst (after 2017) in the European Union in terms of area burned by forest fires. Nearly 900,000 hectares of natural land — an area roughly the size of Corsica — were burned, while in 2023, over 500,000 hectares of natural terrain were affected by fires in Europe. Additionally, 2023 saw uncontrollable wildfires that traditional firefighting methods could not contain.
In Italy, Ispra (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), citing data from EFFIS (European Forest Fire Information System), reports that between January 1, 2024, and July 30, 2024, 615 fires were recorded, affecting a total area of 221 km². Forested areas burned during the first months of 2024 amounted to 40 km² (18% of the total).
This alarming situation has worsened in recent years, partly due to global warming. Leonardo has introduced the C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter” to equip Europe and other nations with a sustainable, scalable, and versatile “ecosystem” that reduces costs while maximizing effectiveness in AIB (Forest Firefighting) and civil protection efforts worldwide.
Aligned with Leonardo’s Environmental Sustainability Plan — which includes the C-27J in this special configuration to combat climate change effects — the retardant used on the C-27J Fire Fighter is Phos Chek 259 FX diluted, a mix of ammonium phosphates (Monoammonium Phosphate, MAP, CAS no. 7722-76-01, and Diammonium Phosphate, CAS no. 7783-28-0), commonly used in agricultural fertilization and certified as non-polluting and safe for the environment, people, and animals by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
According to Regulation No. 1272/2008 (CLP), the product is not classified as dangerous, persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic (PBT/vPvB) and does not interfere with endocrine functions or harm health. It is the same compound commonly used by firefighting authorities in domestic fire missions.
Advantages of the C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter”
The C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter” can operate effectively at low altitudes and in adverse weather. Agile, maneuverable, and fast, it features modern digital avionics, a maximum cruising speed of 325 knots (602 km/h), and STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capabilities, allowing it to take off and land on short or semi-prepared runways near intervention areas. It can reach remote areas more quickly than other firefighting aircraft, including those with limited water sources or where “scooper” aircraft cannot operate due to rough seas.
Its pressurized discharge of water-retardant mixture can cover an extensive area with each release at an average speed of 130 knots (250 km/h). Its output can be adjusted, enabling the crew to adapt the mission profile to specific fire conditions and terrain.
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An effective firefighting system must meet specific criteria: reach isolated areas distant from the sea or other water sources, optimize response times, reduce environmental impact per the European Green Deal guidelines, employ multi-mission solutions that lower operating costs while allowing continuous use year-round, have a high number of platforms with flexible operational capabilities, and integrate seamlessly with ground assets.
The aircraft can also be quickly reconfigured for transport, humanitarian support, civil protection, and Search and Rescue missions, making the C-27J Next Generation “Fire Fighter” — already chosen by Slovenia — the ideal solution for ensuring rapid, versatile responses beyond firefighting, enhancing cost-effectiveness compared to other specialized assets.
Testing and certification of the MAFFS II module and all subsystems have begun, with a flight demonstration scheduled on November 11, 2024, at the Naval Air Station in Taranto-Grottaglie and the former Airfield in Manduria (Apulia).
C-27J “Spartan” Multirole by Design
The C-27J “Spartan” Next Generation by Leonardo is the most effective, versatile tactical transport, multirole, and multi-mission aircraft in its class available today. Its ability to operate from rudimentary airstrips in extreme conditions is unmatched by any other twin-engine transport aircraft. With new equipment and aerodynamic solutions, the C-27J Next Generation has enhanced operational efficiency and performance.
The C-27J Next Generation features new digital avionics for unrestricted operation in civil airspace and enhanced interoperability across tactical scenarios. Its new winglets improve climb performance and increase the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by an additional 1,000 kg, reaching a total of 32,500 kg.
With exceptional structural robustness and system redundancy, the Spartan offers unique reliability, resilience, and maneuverability. Ordered and used by some of the world’s leading air forces, the C-27J is well-tested in challenging operational contexts, effectively completing tactical transport missions, from disaster relief to “last mile” support for troops and airborne firefighting (AIB) missions.
Equipped with two turboprop engines, the C-27J delivers excellent performance, operational flexibility, and cost efficiency. It is qualified for STOL operations on unpaved runways (California Bearing Ratio >3).
Compared to other military transport aircraft in its class, the C-27J has the best descent and climb speeds (4,000 and 2,500 feet/min, respectively) and can perform tactical maneuvers up to 3G, reducing approach time and quickly reaching a safe altitude. It is also qualified for extreme temperatures (-55° C to +50° C / ISA+35° C) and can carry its load at high altitudes.
Highly versatile, the C-27J offers 11 possible configurations for specific missions and can be reconfigured in approximately 30 minutes. The five base configurations are: Cargo Transport, Troop Transport, Medical Evacuation, Cargo Airdrop, and Paratrooper Airdrop.
The six optional configurations (available on customer request) include VIP Transport, Passenger Transport, Special Medevac, Biocontainment, Basic Firefighting, and Advanced Firefighting. The “Fire Fighter” (Advanced Firefighting) version can house the 7,500-liter roll-on/roll-off MAFFS II system. The “Spartan” is already operational or being delivered in 18 countries (for 19 operators), with over 250,000 flight hours globally to date.
Images: Leonardo