| PCADS™ - Aerial Fire Fighting |
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FAI is the prime PCADS™ contractor for US Army Test Program with Boeing as a partner company. FAI and Boeing – Integrated Defense Systems and Phantom Works have been working together over the last 5 years developing and testing PCADS™. In 2008, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher 46th District secured Congressional funds for PCADS™ certification for USAF and ANG aircraft allowing the program to move in a positive direction while working directly with the US Army and other Government Agencies such as USFS, DOI, Home Land Security that show interest in PCADS™. In 2009 FAI was awarded the test contract and is now working with US Army NSRDEC (Natick Solider Research, Development and Engineering Center) Airdrop Group certifying and testing PCADS™ from C-130 and C-17 platforms.
Aerial FirefightingPCADS™ allows airdropping on wildfires. Airdropping allows immediate and accurate response by unlimited aerial firefighting resources to extinguish wild land fires 24/7. PCADS™ has been designed to be used by Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve units (AFR) in support of existing aerial firefighting mission requirements for wildfires. PCADS™ is designed to disassemble upon air stream impact creating a “rain” effect of the media, allowing for safe ground and air operations while extinguishing wild fires. PCADS™ allows large fixed wing assets such as ANG/ AFR C-130 and USAF C-17 airdrop airframes to precisely drop 3,000 – 12,000 USG of gel onto a wildfire front extinguishing flames. The remaining gel will coat the surrounding fuels to prevent re-ignition. No modifications to the airframe and can be effective at night at safe altitudes. Multiple aircraft can be used to for direct attack of hot spots limiting the fire growth potential all the while flying safe altitudes, using GPS, cost effective and safe for ground crews as they are off the fire line at night. How does it work? PCADS™ employs a standard aerial drop container which is easy for the loadmaster to deploy in great numbers. Each biodegradable container consists of a triple-wall corrugated box which contains a biodegradable thermoplastic bladder holding 250 gallons of water, gel or fire retardant. USDA Forest Service estimates that area threshold coverage for direct attack of a fire is eight gallons per 100 square feet. We believe that PCADS™ exceeds this coverage. Because of the higher altitude versatility of PCADS™, the system could be deployed using a multiple aircraft formation to extinguish wildfires of various sizes and patterns in any type of terrain.Test Drop Video
How it would be deployedPCADS™ kits would be stored at ANG bases. In response to federal or state requests, a PCADS team would deploy to the closest ANG base near the wild fire to support PCADS™ deployment. Next stepsWe have obtained Federal funding to Certify PCADS™ for use by ANG in support of USDA Forest Service Aerial Firefighting Program. Certification includes PCADS™ meeting safety requirements on DOD aircraft and PCADS™ meeting performance requirements on the ground – coverage levels and direct attack tatics. PCADS™ Test Program Team Members
PCADS™ has other capabilities as well:
Non-Standard or Innovative Air Delivery Systems
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Precision Container Aerial Delivery System - PCADS™ allows airdropping on wildfires. Airdropping allows immediate and accurate response by unlimited aerial firefighting resources to extinguish wild land fires 24/7. PCADS™ has been designed to be used by Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve units (AFR) in support of existing aerial firefighting mission requirements for wildfires. PCADS™ is designed to disassemble upon air stream impact creating a “rain” effect of the media, allowing for safe ground and air operations while extinguishing wild fires
