The helicopter is an invaluable tool when it comes to fire fighting throughout wilderness areas, rural farmland, urban communities and cities.
FIRE FIGHTING
The ability to collect large quantities of water from nearby water sources and distribute quickly across all types of fires is critical for fire management and response. Often the helicopter is the most valuable tool when looking to contain and extinguish fires. The more water you can take to the fire the more effective you will be in containing and putting the fire out quickly. Heavy lift aircraft move a lot of water quickly and this is key for rapid outcomes. Nearly every time the Black Hawk lifts a bucket a water, either 3250 or 3750 litres of water (or water with retardant), is heading to the fire ground. Currently in New Zealand, that’s over twice what the largest helicopter is lifting.
TUU Fire Bucket
The TUU bucket belongs to the IMS lineage of legacy firefighting buckets. The capacity is either 3250 or 3750 litres depending on UH-60 model. Coupled with an external snorkel, the bucket can be placed into very small areas with very limited water source and snorkelled onboard if conventional tipping of the bucket to fill, or opening the valve to fill, is not an option. The bucket valve is pneumatically operated. It’s multi drop capable and capable of foam and retardant.
TUU Tank
Fire fighting Innovation for helicopter operators looking for tough, simple, reliable and affordable water delivery system. Coupled with some Kiwi ingenuity, TUU offers ‘two in one’ capability. Partnered with IMS, utilising their unique fire fighting buckets, TUU is a combination of some very clever capability.
TUU can be configured between (2) modes, seamlessly and quickly. There are no tools required and can be undertaken in the field by the pilots.
Tanking mode not only provides the operator with the ability to operate urban and meets various other contractual requirements, it also allows pilots and companies to fire fight when they might not possess the skills or experience to long line competently. TUU is a game changer for maximising water dropping potential and utilising all competent aerial work pilots, not just the proficient long line pilots.