BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, April 13, 2025 Recoil Aerospace Inc. (Recoil), the US-based designer of the world’s most advanced rotorcraft aerial fire suppression systems (AFSS), recently completed key steps toward approval of its Internal AFSS tank for the UH-60 Black Hawk series helicopter.
Kentucky-based Recoil achieved industry-leading performance benchmarks during its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight test, reinforcing already heavy hours flown with this breakthrough tank system.
Key AFSS parameters achieved include approval for 140 knot airspeed (VNE); 790-gallon capacity; 590-pound system weight; and five to seven second salvo drop with ‘punching power.’.
Additionally, installation of the tank in the UH-60 main cabin means operators can maintain their external cargo hook intact for longline missions.
Key features of the UH-60 Internal AFSS include:
U.S.-Manufactured & Supported
Comprehensive AFSS Training Program/Recoil Training Academy
Fastest Tank Airspeed Available - 140 Knot VNE
590-pound Total Installed AFSS Weight
Aerospace Carbon Fiber Construction
Hover or Ground Fill Operations
Keeps Cargo Hook Intact
No Airframe Modifications
Install/Removal in Less than 30 Minutes
Elimination of Longline/Jettisonable Load Hazards
Recoil’s AFSS can have an immediate impact controlling new wildfire outbreaks thanks to salvo ‘Punching Power’ drop patterns which punch through forest canopies to rapidly suppress fast-moving blazes.
“This key step towards approval means U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk operators can implement improvements in their fire suppression efforts as fire season starts,” states Recoil President and pilot Joseph Rice.
“Our rapid internal installation combined with high-volume water delivery and highest available airspeeds are vital steps forward improving UH-60 fire suppression effectiveness.”
Army National Guard programs can benefit from enhanced safety and reduced equipment maintenance experienced with external water buckets. Ability for ground-fill as well as hover filling increases mission flexiblity.
A performance upgrade in capabilities from external water buckets, firefighting crews can fly over urban population centers without the hazard of underslung, jettisonable loads.
Recoil’s increased airspeed of 140 knots means suppression flights become more efficient with rapid turnarounds and rapid response to incidents. Cost effectiveness also improves for agencies thanks to higher volume delivered during fuel cycles.
Additionally, the earlier approved External AFSS Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR02584AK covers both the UH-60 Black Hawk series helicopter and the H225 Super Puma helicopter series. The STC represents the only tank approved for operations with H225 series aircraft.
Recoil AFSS units are available for immediate acquisition for both aircraft types.
U.S.-based Recoil’s existing STC covers the United States and Canada as well as the Republic of Korea, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Morocco and other countries.
In addition, Recoil provides full support including its “Recoil Aerial Firefighting Academy” training program from its Bowling Green, Kentucky headquarters.
Importantly, Recoil is the only U.S.-based company producing these types of modern, fuselage-mounted, fully retractable or internal AFSS tanks, in partnership with its Kentucky-based affiliate Aerospace Composites Solutions (ACS) which operates an AS9100 Certified Manufacturing facility.
Team Recoil will attend the Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) Mission Solutions Summit this May and looks forward to discussing features of its AFSS for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter series with attendees.
Visit Recoil Aerospace at Booth 2227 during the AAAA Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, Tenn., May 14-16, 2025.
About Recoil Aerospace
Founded in 2008, Recoil Aerospace designs and supports Tsunami AFSS aerial fire suppression tank systems, military carbon fiber liquid handling tanks and lightweight carbon fiber aerostructures. Recoil is a proud US-based company, designing and supporting all of its industry-leading, innovative product line in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
For additional information, visit recoil-usa.com/
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