Lockheed Martin is eager to develop a unique night firefighting capability for its LM-100J FireHerc variant.
Lockheed Martin is eager to develop a unique night firefighting capability for its LM-100J FireHerc variant.
“Fire seasons are getting longer and more severe over the years, so we really think the FireHerc could offer some significant benefits,” says Lockheed executive Tony Frese.
Lockheed’s literature indicates that the FireHerc can deliver 22,600USgal (85,600 litres) of retardant in 12h. Were the type able to operate at night, this could be greatly increased. Frese points out that no fixed-wing firefighting aircraft now operates at night.
“A lot of the capabilities on the [LM-100J] such as the flightdeck, the heads-up displays, the automation and its integrated backbone give the pilot a lot of situational awareness and reduce workload. These are the kinds of things you need when you fight fires, especially in low light conditions.”
The company is looking at technologies, such as a distributed aperture system reminiscent of the F-35 fighter, that would give pilots better all-round vision at low level at night. The company believes that night vision goggles alone are insufficient to perform the mission.
Regulatory approvals will also need to be approached carefully.
“Regulators will be pretty cautious,” says Frese. “They are not just going to let somebody go out and do this at night. It will be a very co-ordinated effort to demonstrate the capability.”
