Total Aeronautical Services is converting two former German Air Force Transall C-160D transport aircraft in Lower Saxony into firefighting aircraft for European wildfire missions, with Germany a priority market. The project centres on a specially fitted tank holding up to 14,000 litres of water or fire retardant, placing the aircraft among the largest aerial firefighting platforms in Europe behind the Airbus A400M.
Preparations for the first test flight are already under way, moving the programme beyond the concept stage. The aircraft are intended to refill in around three minutes and release about 3,000 litres per second, giving them a rapid-turnaround role for concentrated drops over active fire zones.
A former Bundeswehr Kevlar armour package is the distinguishing feature. TAS expects it to allow operations over ammunition-contaminated areas, a mission profile not currently covered by other aircraft used in Europe. That capability has become the central design feature of the conversion programme as it targets specialist wildfire support rather than general transport work.