Customer Requirement
Modernize the existing Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II) to be used on the C-130H/J aircraft in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Air National Guard Bureau (ANG). Requirements included:
- Increasing retardant carrying capacity up to 3,300 gal (+300 gal compared to MAFFS II) requiring significant weight reduction
- Increase safety by orienting operator seats facing aft and doubling the crash load rating of the system
- Address significant obsolescence issues with MAFFS II
Why Strata-G?
Strata-G performed extensive trade and feasibility studies for the IMAFFS; and has all the necessary engineering disciplines [SE, ME (design, analysis, and understanding of fluid delivery systems), EE, & HSI). Strata-G’s vast aircraft design and demonstration of fluid flow modeling/calculation experience made Strata-G a low-risk choice for the development of the IMAFFS updates.
Role of Strata-G
The Strata-G Team is the engineering design authority for the IMAFFS project. The development tasks conducted included the re-design/modification of 90% of the MAFFS II system, generation of all airworthiness and engineering design verification documents, manufacturing support, assembly support, and testing support.
Solution
Strata-G has successfully conducted design reviews and delivered engineering drawing, analyses, and reports for customer acceptance. Also, Strata-G’s design incorporated light-weight/high-strength materials to successfully execute a new design that could be integrated into existing systems. The production level drawing package is being used to fabricate the first system, which is scheduled for ground testing in 2024.