EC225, Water Bombing Helicopter - Water Bombing Mission Involvements

Following a first article written for the 2010 European Rotorcraft Forum (ERF) about the development of the EC225 water bombing helicopter, this second volume written for the 2011 American Helicopter Society (AHS) forum reminds the forest fire problematic, introducing the aerial fire fighting answers. A physical model of water bombing is given, so that reader can appreciate key features for efficient aerial fire fighting tools. Then, after describing the features of the EC225 water bombing helicopter developed by Eurocopter, the major focus of the paper is the peculiar water bombing mission profile, and the associated consequences it has over the helicopter and the aircraft crew.