Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Fire Free Forests (3F) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop an airborne firefighting platform to counter the growing global threat of wildfires, based on 767BDSF, a specially adapted version of IAI’s BEDEK Special Freighter.
This collaboration aims to address large-scale wildfires, which are intensifying due to climate change, posing severe environmental and economic risks and endangering human lives.
Under the MoU, IAI will lead the development of an integrated solution designed to extinguish massive fires from the air.
This solution includes 767FF Fire-Fighter specially adapted aircraft equipped to carry and precisely disperse 40 tons of fire-retardant material to halt fire spread and aid in its suppression; advanced sensor systems for real-time detection and identification of fire origins, wind and ground conditions; and a centralised Command and Control system to coordinate all operational assets—both airborne and ground-based.
3F will oversee the commercial strategy, including the development of a subscription-based service model for governmental agencies, reinsurers, and climate resilience programs. 3F will also be responsible for business planning, financing, and engagement with public-sector clients worldwide.
Boaz Levy, president and chief executive of IAI, said: “As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity due to climate change, the need for innovative, large-scale solutions has never been more urgent.
"We are proud to apply our advanced engineering and aircraft conversion capabilities to help protect lives around the world and look forward to collaborating with 3F on this.”
Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of aviation at IAI, said: "IAI continues to demonstrate its ability to develop cutting-edge solutions that address emerging global challenges and its unique capability to adapt airborne platforms into competent, mission-tailored solutions.
"This new firefighting platform fuses our world-leading expertise in aircraft conversion to deliver a highly effective response to climate-driven threats – a major leap forward in aerial firefighting capabilities.”
The deployment plan for this new airborne firefighting platform envisions a phased rollout with progressive deployment milestones, supported by multiple international hubs in fire-prone regions, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Southern Europe.
