Airbus Defence and Space announced today the successful completion of a series of test launches and demonstrations of its A400M demonstration firefighting kit at Nîmes-Garons, in France.
The aim of this test campaign was to conduct an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the A400M firefighting kit. The tests were conducted by the Centre for Test and Research of Entente-Valabre (CEREN), a French public body authorized and approved by the Ministry of the Interior for the evaluation of forest fire equipment and personnel training in France and abroad, which is an international authority in this field.
The test campaign, conducted in late April 2025, involved the execution of multiple launches of the A400M over a designated section of the airport. These rigorous tests, called “cup grid tests”, allowed CEREN to accurately assess the system’s capabilities, including the accurate distribution and concentration of the retardant on the ground. During the launches, the plane reached altitudes below 30 meters (98 feet) and speeds around 230 km/h (125 knots).
The A400M’s Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) firefighting kit offers unique operational advantages, previously unavailable on the market. Its innovative roll-on/roll-off design does not require permanent modifications to the aircraft, allowing for the rapid conversion of any A400M in a fleet for firefighting missions with minimal notice.
The system, housed in the hold, can discharge up to 20,000 liters of water or retardant by gravity through the rear ramp, with tanks that can be filled in less than 10 minutes using standard ground pumps. Also, the inherent ability of the A400M to take off and land on short and un-asphalted runways significantly increases its flexibility, allowing operations from a wide range of airbases and airports closer to the fire zones. Its design also supports high maneuverability and the possibility of day and night operations, in compliance with the latest safety standards.
_”After the initial tests conducted in Spain, the successful completion of these tests in Nîmes represents a crucial step forward in our goal of shaping a fire-fighting capability ecosystem. The exceptional versatility of the A400M, combined with the rapid deployment capabilities of this kit, offers a revolutionary resource for integrating existing technologies and platforms on the ground, in the air, and in space,”_ stated Jo Müller, Head of Sustainability and Communications at Airbus Defence and Space.
Airbus Defence and Space continues to promote a complete range of aerial firefighting solutions covering both indirect and direct firefighting missions, in line with its commitment to decarbonization and contributing to the fight against the growing global challenge of forest fires.
Source and photo credit @Airbus Defence and Space
