MetropolitanAerialFireFightingSystem FortheEC225Helicopter SimplexModel516

Executive Summary In conjunction with the Haifei Aircraft Company in China, Simplex developed and delivered the first new generation MAFFS high rise fire fighting system installed on a H425 helicopter in September 2009. Chinese flight approval is in process and expected in 2010. The MAFFS system for the H425 system was developed as a proof of concept to be used for demonstration purposes. This technology was developed for adaptation to larger rotorcraft, like the EC 225, capable of extended urban fire fighting missions. Simplex was selected for this development projects due to our 64 years of developing and certifying helicopter mission equipment and as a world's leading provider of helicopter firefighting equipment. Simplex's Model 516 MAFFS's lightweight modular design facilitates rapid installation and deployment requiring no aircraft power to operate the system. The 516 MAFFS system consists of a power assisted articulating spray boom with foam dispensing nozzle tip, infra-red camera, laser range finder, and direct drive motor, pump, and generator assembly.

Model 516 MAFFS Modular Design

The operator seat (item 2), power pack (item 3), powered boom turret (item 4), FLIR (item 5), and operator controls (item 6) are installed onto the Main Beam Assembly using quick connection pins resulting in an overall installation time of less than 15 minutes with a two man crew.
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The light weight machined aluminum constructions allows for maximum water and foam payloads extending time on station fighting fires in excess of 12 minutes before refilling. Refilling can be performed on the ground or using the rapid hover refilling pump minimizing cycle times between fire fighting and refilling. In addition, the ability to stow the boom in a forward position permits higher flight speeds to the fire and during refill cycles.

Power Assisted Articulator Boom Turret Assembly

Simplex has developed a power assisted articulating boom turret based upon experience with the smaller prototype H425 MAFFS system. In order to maximize the spraying distance, the spray
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boom length of 6.7 meter extends 0.5 meters outside of the EC 225 rotor system. The mass of the boom requires power assistance in order for the fireman operating the boom to safety and ergonomically move the boom during fire fighting operation. The electrically powered boom can be operated by power assisted handles or remote joy stick and can be rapidly deployed from its forward locked stowed position for ferry transport to the extended lateral deployment for fire fighting.

Joy Stick

Power Assist Handles

Boom in Ferry Transport Locked Position

Boom in Lateral Deployed Position

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Aerating Spray Nozzle The spray nozzle utilized by the 516 MAFFS is the same nozzle used by many fire departments in major cities throughout the world providing a known and accepted technology. The aerating nozzle creates consistent foam mix allowing horizontal projection in excess of 20 meters from the nozzle.

Spray Boom Made from high strength carbon fiber, this 6.7 meter boom retains its rigidity and each boom must pass a rigidity test as part of its quality acceptance testing. The outer 3 meters of the boom is constructed of non-conductive fiberglass in case the tip of the boom comes into contact with electricity.

Power Pack - Motor, Pump, and Generator The power pack consists of a 23hp Honda gas power motor, a self priming pump, and a generator providing electrical power to recharge storage battery. The outer protective case

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contains access doors for service and inspection. The power pack installs on the main beam assembly requiring no tools using easy and rapid hook and pin installation.

FLIR EV3 Camera The 9 hz EVS3 FLIR Infrared Camera provides an important tool to assist in the effectiveness of the fire fighting operation allowing the fire fighter operating the boom to focus foam on the hot spots. The flip up monitor is mounted on the turret in easy view of the fire fighter operator and can be flipped down and stowed when not in use.

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Distance Measuring Device Smoke and the mission itself create a demanding environment for the pilot and crew. An important safety device, the Model 516 is equipped with (2) two Laser Range Finders, one for the pilot and one for the fire fighter operator, to provide a means to measure distance between aircraft and buildings or other hazards. The unit is programmable in meters and can display distance from the boom to the building, the tip of the rotor blade to the building, or other specification that the pilot desires.

Operator Controls

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Water tank with Foam compartments The Simplex Model 316 Fire Attack System is a 2,267 liter externally mounted water system with internal foam compartments. The system can be installed by a crew of two in less than 20 minutes using the removable ground handling wheels. The fixed mounted belly tank can be permanently installed on the aircraft and does not limit multi-mission activities as the fixed tank is compatible with rescue hoist and allows full use of the aircraft cabin for transporting personnel.

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