MRO & Manufacturing
RTX Pratt Whitney Partners with PBS Group to Advance Auxiliary Power Units
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group collaborate on next-gen auxiliary power units targeting higher power density and reduced weight for aviation.
Strategic Alliance in Aerospace: RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Partners with PBS Group to Revolutionize Auxiliary Power Unit Technology
The aerospace industry witnessed a significant strategic development on September 18, 2025, when RTX’s Pratt & Whitney division announced a comprehensive partnership with Czech aerospace manufacturer PBS Group to develop next-generation auxiliary power unit (APU) technology. This collaboration represents a convergence of American aerospace leadership and European engineering excellence, targeting enhanced performance, reliability, and innovation in critical aircraft systems that support both commercial aviation and military operations.
The partnership leverages Pratt & Whitney’s extensive experience in gas turbine technology and global manufacturing capabilities alongside PBS Group’s specialized expertise in compact, high-efficiency auxiliary power systems developed over more than five decades. The initiative, supported by the Czech Ministry of Defense’s Industrial Cooperation Section, aims to create APUs with the highest power density on the market while significantly reducing form factor and weight compared to traditional systems. This development occurs within a rapidly expanding APU market, valued at approximately $3.08 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $3.69 billion by 2030, driven by increasing aircraft deliveries, retrofitting requirements, and emerging applications in unmanned systems and advanced military platforms.
Partnership Genesis and Strategic Framework
The collaboration between RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group represents a carefully orchestrated strategic alliance that builds upon earlier exploratory agreements between the two companies. The foundation for this partnership was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2023, when both entities committed to jointly exploring opportunities for next-generation APU development. This preliminary agreement allowed both companies to assess complementary strengths and identify synergies in their respective technological capabilities and market positions.
The formal partnership announcement on September 18, 2025, marked the transition from exploratory discussions to active development commitments. The cooperation was facilitated and supported by the Industrial Cooperation Section of the Czech Ministry of Defense, which has been instrumental in connecting domestic and international partners to strengthen the innovative potential of the Czech defense industry. This government support reflects the strategic importance of aerospace technologies to Czech national interests and the country’s position within NATO alliance structures.
Radka Konderlová, Director General for Industrial Cooperation at the Czech Ministry of Defense & Armed Forces, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that “PBS Group is a unique company both in the Czech Republic and globally. Its cooperation with RTX, one of the largest companies in the defense industry, is not only proof of PBS’s capabilities, but also a testament to the strength of Czech industry as a whole.” This governmental endorsement underscores the partnership’s strategic value beyond commercial considerations, encompassing defense industrial base strengthening and international cooperation objectives.
“PBS Group is a unique company both in the Czech Republic and globally. Its cooperation with RTX, one of the largest companies in the defense industry, is not only proof of PBS’s capabilities, but also a testament to the strength of Czech industry as a whole.” – Radka Konderlová, Czech Ministry of Defense
Company Backgrounds and Technological Heritage
RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, stands as the world’s largest aerospace and defense company with more than 185,000 global employees and 2024 sales exceeding $80 billion. The company operates through three primary business segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, each serving distinct but complementary roles in the broader aerospace ecosystem. RTX’s extensive portfolio encompasses commercial aviation systems, military propulsion technologies, and integrated defense solutions that support customers worldwide.
Pratt & Whitney, operating as an RTX business division, has established itself as a world leader in aircraft engine design, manufacture, and service since 1925. The company’s technological heritage spans nearly a century of aviation innovation, during which its engineers have pioneered revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies. Today, Pratt & Whitney supports more than 90,000 in-service engines through a global network of maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, demonstrating its comprehensive lifecycle support capabilities.
PBS Group traces its technological heritage to 1814, evolving from textile machinery production to advanced aerospace systems. Its entry into aviation occurred in the 1970s with the development of an auxiliary energy unit for the Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft. The company now operates production facilities in Velká Bíteš, Czech Republic, and has expanded capabilities in the United States and India. PBS Group’s expertise encompasses jet engines, turboprop and turboshaft engines, auxiliary power units, and related aerospace systems, serving customers in over 15 countries.
Auxiliary Power Unit Technology and Applications
Auxiliary Power Units represent critical aircraft systems that provide essential functions supporting both commercial and military aviation operations. APUs are compact, self-contained gas turbine engines designed to generate electrical power and compressed air when an aircraft’s main engines are not operating. These systems serve multiple vital functions: starting main engines, providing electrical power for aircraft systems, supplying compressed air for cabin environmental control, powering avionics cooling systems, and delivering emergency power capabilities for in-flight engine restart procedures.
The technical sophistication of modern APUs reflects decades of engineering advancement aimed at maximizing performance while minimizing size, weight, and maintenance requirements. Contemporary APU designs incorporate advanced materials, precision manufacturing techniques, and sophisticated control systems that enable reliable operation across diverse environmental conditions. These systems must function effectively at various altitudes, temperatures, and operational scenarios while meeting stringent safety and reliability standards established by aviation regulatory authorities.
Commercial aircraft applications for APUs encompass a broad range of aircraft types, from regional jets and narrow-body aircraft to wide-body international carriers and business jets. In commercial operations, APUs provide ground power during aircraft turnaround procedures, reducing dependency on ground power equipment and enabling flexible gate operations at airports worldwide. Military aircraft applications for APUs extend beyond basic power generation to encompass specialized requirements for combat aircraft, rotorcraft, and unmanned systems, including support for electronic warfare technologies and improved thermal management systems required by modern military platforms.
Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape
The global auxiliary power unit market demonstrates robust growth characteristics driven by increasing aircraft production, fleet modernization requirements, and expanding applications in emerging aviation sectors. Market research indicates the APU sector was valued at approximately $3.08 billion in 2025, with projections showing growth to $3.69 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.65 percent. Alternative analyses suggest even stronger growth potential, with projections ranging from $2.6 billion in 2025 to $3.8 billion by 2032, indicating a CAGR of 5.7 percent.
The commercial aviation segment dominates APU market demand, accounting for 68.21 percent of revenue share in 2024, primarily driven by narrow-body aircraft deliveries. Regional market dynamics show significant variation, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the fastest-growing region at a projected CAGR of 5.40 percent, reflecting China’s C919 aircraft program and India’s fleet expansion outlook. European and North American markets maintain steady growth patterns supported by fleet modernization programs and replacement cycles for aging APU installations.
The competitive landscape within the APU market demonstrates unique characteristics due to significant barriers to entry and certification requirements. The market operates essentially as a duopoly between Honeywell International and Pratt & Whitney, with Honeywell commanding approximately 70 percent market share while Pratt & Whitney holds the remaining 30 percent. Honeywell’s market leadership is based on its comprehensive APU portfolio, while Pratt & Whitney focuses on specific market segments and platforms, including the A380, Boeing 747, and Boeing 787.
The APU market is “essentially a duopoly between Honeywell International and Pratt & Whitney, with Honeywell commanding approximately 70 percent market share.”
Technical Innovation and Development Objectives
The collaborative development program between Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group targets significant technological advancements that address current APU limitations while anticipating future aircraft requirements. The next-generation APU is projected to achieve the highest power density available in the market, delivering maximum performance within a reduced form factor and weight profile compared to existing systems. This enhanced power density represents a fundamental engineering challenge that requires innovations in turbomachinery design, materials science, and system integration.
Weight reduction objectives for the new APU system reflect industry-wide emphasis on fuel efficiency and operational cost reduction. Every pound of weight savings in aircraft systems translates directly to fuel consumption reductions over aircraft operating lifecycles, creating significant economic benefits for operators. The technical specifications for the next-generation APU emphasize rapid starting capabilities and reliable operation at high altitudes, addressing specific operational scenarios encountered in both commercial and military applications.
Enhanced electrical power generation capabilities represent another key development objective, reflecting the increasing electrification of aircraft systems across both commercial and military platforms. Modern aircraft designs incorporate more electric architectures that rely on electrical power for flight controls, environmental systems, landing gear operation, and advanced avionics systems. Thermal management improvements constitute a critical technical development area, particularly for military applications where APUs may need to support electronic warfare systems and advanced sensor equipment that generate substantial heat loads.
Industry Trends, Strategic Implications, and Regulatory Environment
The auxiliary power unit market operates within broader industry trends that shape demand patterns, technological requirements, and competitive dynamics. Commercial aviation growth, particularly in emerging markets, creates sustained demand for new aircraft equipped with modern APU systems. Fleet modernization programs represent another significant market driver as airlines replace aging aircraft with more fuel-efficient models equipped with advanced APU technology.
Regulatory developments influence APU market dynamics through environmental standards, noise limitations, and operational requirements established by aviation authorities. The emergence of unmanned aircraft systems creates new market segments for APU technology adapted to autonomous operation requirements. Sustainable aviation fuel adoption presents both opportunities and challenges for APU manufacturers, requiring systems capable of operating reliably on alternative fuel compositions.
The regulatory environment governing auxiliary power unit development and certification creates significant barriers to entry while ensuring safety and reliability standards essential for aviation operations. Certification processes require extensive testing, documentation, and validation procedures. PBS Group’s position as one of only four companies worldwide authorized to develop and certify civil APUs demonstrates its technical capabilities and regulatory compliance expertise.
Financial Implications and Investment Analysis
The financial implications of the Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group partnership extend beyond immediate development costs to encompass potential market share expansion, revenue diversification, and strategic positioning benefits for both organizations. RTX’s strong financial performance provides substantial resources for research and development investments. Market growth projections suggest significant revenue potential for successful APU development programs, with the global APU market expected to expand from $3.08 billion in 2025 to $3.69 billion by 2030.
The duopoly nature of the APU market creates both challenges and opportunities for market share expansion. While Honeywell currently dominates with approximately 70 percent market share, technological innovations that provide distinctive performance advantages could enable market share redistribution. Defense market opportunities present particularly attractive financial prospects due to higher margins associated with military contracts and long-term support requirements.
PBS Group’s production expansion plans reflect confidence in market growth prospects and the partnership’s commercial potential. The company reports increasing jet engine production by approximately 300 percent year-over-year, transitioning from tens of engines annually to hundreds with projections toward thousands of units. Investment timing considerations favor the partnership’s development schedule, which aligns with projected technology maturation cycles and market demand patterns.
Conclusion
The strategic partnership between RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group represents a significant development in auxiliary power unit technology that addresses current market demands while positioning both companies for future growth opportunities. This collaboration leverages complementary expertise, combines established market presence with innovative engineering capabilities, and targets technological advancement that could reshape competitive dynamics within the APU market.
The broader implications of this partnership extend beyond immediate technical developments to encompass strategic positioning within a growing market, international cooperation benefits, and potential for expanded collaboration across additional aerospace technologies. Market projections indicating growth from $3.08 billion in 2025 to $3.69 billion by 2030 create substantial opportunities for companies capable of delivering innovative solutions that address evolving customer requirements. The convergence of multiple industry trends, including fleet modernization requirements, regulatory developments, and emerging aircraft architectures, creates both challenges and opportunities that the partnership is well-positioned to address.
FAQ
What is an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)?
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a small gas turbine engine that provides electrical power and compressed air to aircraft when the main engines are not running, supporting functions such as engine starting, environmental control, and avionics operation.
Who are the main players in the global APU market?
The global APU market is dominated by Honeywell International and Pratt & Whitney, with Honeywell holding approximately 70 percent market share and Pratt & Whitney the remaining 30 percent.
What are the primary goals of the Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group partnership?
The partnership aims to develop next-generation APUs with the highest power density, reduced size and weight, enhanced electrical power generation, and improved reliability for both commercial and military aviation applications.
How does the partnership benefit the Czech aerospace industry?
The collaboration strengthens the Czech aerospace industrial base, supports national defense objectives, and highlights the capabilities of PBS Group as a global technology leader.
What market trends are influencing APU development?
Major trends include increased aircraft electrification, fleet modernization, stricter environmental regulations, the rise of unmanned systems, and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels.
Sources
Photo Credit: RTX
MRO & Manufacturing
AkzoNobel Launches Iris CMX Drone for Aircraft Paint Inspection
AkzoNobel introduces the Iris CMX drone with Donecle to enhance aircraft paint inspections, enabling faster, data-driven maintenance.
This article is based on an official press release from AkzoNobel.
On April 29, 2026, AkzoNobel announced a significant upgrade to its Aerofleet Coatings Management service, introducing a new drone-based inspection tool designed to revolutionize aircraft paint maintenance. According to the company’s press release, the new drone, named the Iris CMX, was developed in partnership with French automated inspection specialist Donecle.
The Iris CMX is equipped with a specialized three-in-one contact-based sensor that physically measures paint thickness, color, and gloss. When deployed alongside AkzoNobel’s existing visual inspection drone, the Iris GVI, the dual-drone system enables airlines to complete a comprehensive exterior inspection of a narrowbody aircraft in approximately 30 minutes.
This technological advancement marks a critical shift in aerospace maintenance. By moving away from rigid, time-based repainting schedules, airlines can now rely on highly accurate, data-driven predictive models. According to AkzoNobel, this transition is expected to save airlines money, increase aircraft availability, and substantially reduce the environmental impact associated with aircraft repainting.
The Technology Behind the Dual-Drone System
The upgraded Aerofleet system utilizes a comprehensive three-pillar data approach to assess coating performance, combining quantitative measurements, qualitative imaging, and environmental data.
Quantitative and Qualitative Data Collection
The first pillar relies on the newly introduced Iris CMX drone. As detailed in the press release, this drone gathers quantitative data using a targeted contact-based sensor to physically measure dry film thickness, color data, and gloss. This capability brings unprecedented accuracy, consistency, and repeatability to coating inspections, ensuring that the physical properties of the paint are meticulously tracked over time.
The second pillar involves the pre-existing Iris GVI drone, which focuses on qualitative data. During an inspection, the Iris GVI flies in a programmed grid over the aircraft’s surface, capturing up to 600 high-definition photographs. Donecle’s proprietary machine learning algorithms then analyze these images to identify and flag wear, tear, or specific defects, such as rivet rash or lightning strikes.
The final pillar integrates external flight and environmental data. The Aerofleet system feeds variables such as route profiles, UV exposure, and humidity into its predictive models, creating a holistic view of the aircraft’s exterior health.
Operational and Environmental Impact
AkzoNobel notes that the Aerofleet Coatings Management service is ideally suited for commercial airlines operating fleets of 100 aircraft or more. By utilizing a trained two-person team to operate both drones simultaneously, one on each side of the aircraft, maintenance crews can drastically reduce inspection times.
Efficiency and Sustainability Benefits
By accurately determining the true “health” of an aircraft’s paint, airlines can avoid premature and unnecessary repainting. This data-driven approach lowers direct maintenance costs and keeps aircraft in the air longer, thereby increasing overall fleet availability. Furthermore, the drones can be utilized during manufacturing and routine maintenance cycles to ensure coatings meet strict specifications from day one, which helps reduce costly rework.
From an environmental standpoint, extending the lifespan of aircraft coatings directly reduces the consumption of chemical paints. It also lowers the carbon footprint associated with the energy-intensive repainting process, aligning with broader aviation industry sustainability goals.
“Aerofleet Coatings Management has always been about giving airlines greater confidence in when and why they maintain or repaint their aircraft. The addition of the Iris CMX brings precise, consistent measurement into the process to strengthen the data that underpins our predictive models. It also allows us to support expert assessment with more objective, consistent and repeatable inspections, while improving the speed and efficiency of the inspection process.”
Industry Context and the Donecle Partnership
AkzoNobel’s Aerospace Coatings business initially launched the Aerofleet Coatings Management service in 2023. To solidify the technological foundation of the service, AkzoNobel acquired a minority stake in Donecle in October 2023. Donecle’s automated drone technology has been certified by major aviation regulatory bodies and manufacturers, including the FAA, EASA, Airbus, and Boeing.
The Rise of Automated MRO
The partnership highlights a growing trend of automation within the aviation sector. Donecle recently raised an additional €10 million in April 2026 to expand its AI capabilities and international footprint, according to reporting by Aviation Week Network. This funding signals strong market demand for automated, AI-driven inspection tools.
“We have already been collaborating to develop the new Aerofleet Coatings Management service and will be working closely with their teams in evolving this and other services to help keep our aerospace customers one step ahead of the competition.”
Claybrough has also recently noted at industry events that artificial intelligence is highly effective at finding small defects, allowing human inspectors and AI to combine for optimal results.
AirPro News analysis
We observe that the aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is rapidly shifting from reactive maintenance to predictive maintenance. The integration of tools like the Iris CMX drone reflects a broader industry reliance on “digital twins” and AI-driven data threads. By forecasting wear and tear before it becomes a safety or aesthetic issue, airlines are not only optimizing their operational budgets but also mitigating the safety risks associated with traditional manual inspections, which often require scaffolding and extensive downtime. The €10 million capital injection into Donecle further underscores investor confidence that drone-assisted MRO is transitioning from a niche innovation to an industry standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a drone inspection take with the new system?
According to AkzoNobel, when the Iris CMX and Iris GVI drones are operated simultaneously by a two-person team, a full exterior inspection of a narrowbody aircraft takes approximately 30 minutes.
What exactly does the Iris CMX drone measure?
The Iris CMX uses a three-in-one contact-based sensor to physically measure the dry film thickness, color data, and gloss of the aircraft’s paint.
What size fleets benefit most from this technology?
AkzoNobel states that the Aerofleet Coatings Management service is ideally suited for commercial airlines operating fleets of 100 aircraft or more.
Sources:
Photo Credit: AkzoNobel
MRO & Manufacturing
NobleTek and Redshred Partner to Enhance Document Intelligence in Aerospace
NobleTek partners with Redshred to provide AI-powered document intelligence, improving data extraction and management for aerospace and defense sectors.
This article is based on an official press release from NobleTek.
NobleTek, an engineering professional services firm, has announced a strategic reseller partnership with AI-powered document intelligence pioneer Redshred. The collaboration aims to bring advanced document management and data extraction capabilities to enterprise clients across technically complex sectors, including aerospace, defense, space, and heavy equipment.
According to the official press release, the partnership will expand access to Redshred’s platform across the United States and Canada. By leveraging AI and machine learning, the platform is designed to help organizations turn static technical documents into structured, actionable data.
In industries where a single maintenance event or procurement decision relies on data scattered across hundreds of disparate files, the ability to rapidly surface information is critical. The companies state that this new alliance will address the longstanding challenge of making massive document libraries usable at the speed of operations.
Transforming Document Intelligence in Aerospace and Defense
For aerospace and defense enterprises, managing technical data has traditionally involved high-effort, manual extraction and cross-referencing. The Redshred platform seeks to eliminate these bottlenecks by allowing organizations to query documents as if they were a database.
Key Platform Capabilities
As detailed in the announcement, Redshred’s API-first architecture features Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, enabling seamless integration into existing enterprise workflows without vendor lock-in. The system acts as a central hub where machine learning models can classify, extract, and augment technical data at scale. This allows cross-functional teams to move away from siloed file repositories and collaborate using a shared, structured view of their document intelligence.
NobleTek will leverage its established enterprise relationships to scope, deploy, and support these tailored solutions for its clients.
“Redshred solves a longstanding challenge we’ve seen in aerospace and other engineering-intensive industries: how to make massive, complex document libraries usable at the speed of operations.”
Strategic Growth and Industry Impact
The partnership represents a significant step for both companies in addressing the data-intensive needs of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and heavy equipment sectors. By automating low-value document work, engineering teams can reclaim capacity and accelerate critical decision-making processes.
Leadership Perspectives
Redshred’s leadership emphasized the sheer volume of critical technical content generated by NobleTek’s customer base, noting that much of it has historically remained inaccessible to the personnel who need it most.
“Redshred turns those documents into a living, queryable knowledge base. NobleTek is well positioned to bring that value to customers facing some of the most complex document environments.”
AirPro News analysis
We note that the aerospace and defense sectors are increasingly turning to AI-driven data management tools to modernize legacy systems. The integration of platforms like Redshred highlights a broader industry shift toward treating technical documentation as dynamic data assets rather than static archives. NobleTek’s move to act as a strategic reseller positions the firm to capitalize on the growing demand for digital transformation in manufacturing and MRO operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the NobleTek and Redshred partnership?
The partnership allows NobleTek to act as a strategic reseller for Redshred’s AI-powered document intelligence platform, bringing advanced data extraction and querying capabilities to aerospace, defense, and industrial enterprises.
How does Redshred’s platform work?
According to the press release, Redshred enables organizations to query static documents like a database, using AI and machine learning to classify and extract technical data. It features an API-first architecture with MCP support for seamless workflow integration.
Sources
Photo Credit: Montage
MRO & Manufacturing
DART Aerospace Gains TCCA Certification for Fire Attack System Upgrades
DART Aerospace receives TCCA certification for Fire Attack System Model 304 upgrades on Medium Bell helicopters, improving safety and night operations.
This article is based on an official press release from DART Aerospace.
DART Aerospace Secures TCCA Certification for Enhanced Fire Attack System on Medium Bell Helicopters
On April 29, 2026, DART Aerospace announced the receipt of a new Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SH26-18. According to the official press release, this certification approves a series of critical operational and safety enhancements to the company’s Fire Attack System Model 304, a specialized belly-mounted aerial firefighting system.
The newly certified upgrades are specifically engineered for Medium Bell helicopters, including the Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412, and UH-1H models. By modernizing this legacy equipment, DART Aerospace aims to improve pilot safety, increase mission flexibility, and enable round-the-clock wildfire suppression capabilities.
As global wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe, the demand for advanced aerial firefighting technology has accelerated. We at AirPro News recognize this certification as a significant step in equipping existing helicopter fleets with modern, high-efficiency suppression tools directly from the manufacturers.
Modernizing Aerial Firefighting Capabilities
The Fire Attack System Model 304 features a belly-mounted carbon fiberglass tank capable of holding 1,420 liters (375 gallons) of water or 114 liters (30 gallons) of foam retardant. The recent TCCA certification introduces several modernizations to this legacy system, directly addressing the evolving needs of aerial firefighting operators.
Night Operations and Hover Refills
One of the most critical enhancements approved under STC SH26-18 is the ability to perform unaided night hover refills. According to the company’s specifications, the system now allows operators to safely refill the water tank while hovering over a water source at night without the need for external visual aids. Furthermore, the certification includes an improved stowable hover pump kit, which increases the efficiency and reliability of drafting water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs.
Enhancing Pilot Safety with Integrated Controls
Aerial firefighting remains a high-stress, high-risk operation, often requiring pilots to fly at low altitudes in turbulent conditions. To address these hazards, DART Aerospace has integrated the emergency jettison switch directly into the helicopter’s primary flight controls.
The emergency release mechanism allows pilots to instantly drop the water or retardant load in an emergency without removing their hands from the flight controls.
This integration ensures that if a helicopter experiences an engine failure or a sudden downdraft, the pilot can instantly shed over 3,000 pounds of water weight to regain lift, maintaining a continuous physical connection to the aircraft’s steering.
Extending the Lifespan of Legacy Fleets
Medium Bell helicopters, such as the UH-1H “Huey” and the Bell 212, have long served as the historic workhorses of the aerial firefighting industry. However, replacing these aging airframes with entirely new aircraft is often prohibitively expensive for operators and fire agencies.
By certifying modern, high-tech enhancements for these older airframes, DART Aerospace provides a cost-effective pathway for operators to modernize their existing fleets. The enhanced Fire Attack System Model 304 is currently available directly through DART Aerospace, allowing operators to upgrade their capabilities ahead of upcoming fire seasons.
AirPro News analysis
Based on our review of the industry landscape and the provided research data, this certification highlights the strategic value of DART Aerospace’s past acquisitions. The Fire Attack System Model 304 was originally developed by Simplex Aerospace, a Portland, Oregon-based company with a 70-year history in aerial application systems. In October 2019, DART Aerospace acquired Simplex Aerospace, absorbing its portfolio of over 200 international product certifications.
Founded in 1975 in Montreal, Canada, DART Aerospace recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The company has grown to employ over 600 people across facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the UK, holding over 2,000 STCs and supporting more than 5,000 aircraft worldwide. We view the successful integration and modernization of Simplex’s legacy firefighting technology as a testament to DART’s continued growth and its commitment to addressing the global climate and wildfire crisis. Furthermore, the push for 24/7 firefighting capabilities, capitalizing on lower nighttime temperatures and higher humidity, makes the unaided night hover refill feature a vital tool for modern fire agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What aircraft are compatible with the enhanced Fire Attack System Model 304?
According to the TCCA STC SH26-18 certification, the system is compatible with Medium Bell helicopters, specifically the Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412, and UH-1H models.
What is the capacity of the Model 304 tank?
The belly-mounted carbon fiberglass tank holds 1,420 liters (375 gallons) of water or 114 liters (30 gallons) of foam retardant.
Why is the integrated emergency jettison switch important?
It allows pilots to instantly drop over 3,000 pounds of water weight during an emergency (such as engine failure or downdrafts) without taking their hands off the primary flight controls, significantly improving safety.
Sources
Photo Credit: DART Aerospace
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