Recoil Aerospace is anticipating final FAA approval on its STC for the T1000-E Wildfire Suppression System. The certification will come after months of testing and evaluation for the system, which the company said represents a “leap forward in aerial firefighting capabilities.”

Among its features is a 1,000-gallon capacity tank with a fill time of under a minute and a drop time of five seconds, allowing for precise firefighting maneuvers. Powered by the aircraft’s AC voltage, the system—which weighs just 550 pounds—also includes a 30-gallon foam tank for enhanced firefighting effectiveness and a retraction system redundancy for fail-safe use during operations.

“We are confident that the imminent arrival of the T1000-E STC will mark a significant advancement in aerial firefighting technology,” said Recoil president and managing director Joseph Rice, adding that the system’s features “will empower firefighters to combat wildfires with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness while prioritizing safety.”

This week at Heli-Expo 2024, the company announced its three launch customers for the system: David Rath, CEO of Precision, which will install the system on an Airbus AS332 Super Puma; Roy Knaus, CEO and owner of Heli-Austria Group, which will also use an AS332; and Rod Allison, president and CEO of XP Services, which has initiated the STC process for installation of the T1000-E on the Sikorsky UH-60 (expected in the third quarter).

“Their trust in our technology underscores the industry’s recognition of the T1000-E as a game changer in aerial firefighting,” said Rice.