Airbus Defence and Space has successfully completed a test campaign of its roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) firefighting kit for the A400M military transport aircraft. The trials were conducted in late April 2025 at Nîmes-Garons airport in southern France.
The tests were carried out under the supervision of CEREN (Entente-Valabre’s Test and Research Centre), a public institution authorized by France’s Ministry of the Interior. CEREN specializes in evaluating forest firefighting equipment and provides training for personnel both in France and abroad. The organization is recognized internationally for its technical expertise in wildfire response systems.
During the campaign, the A400M performed multiple low-altitude drops, flying below 30 meters at speeds of approximately 230 km/h. CEREN used standardized “cup grid” methods to assess the dispersal pattern and effectiveness of the kit’s retardant delivery.
The A400M firefighting system is designed as a roll-on/roll-off module, enabling rapid conversion of any A400M aircraft without requiring permanent modifications. The system can discharge up to 20,000 liters of water or retardant through the rear ramp by gravity. Tanks can be refilled in under ten minutes using standard ground-based equipment.
Airbus highlights the operational flexibility of the A400M platform, noting its ability to take off and land on short or unpaved runways and operate in various conditions, including potential nighttime missions.
This test campaign in France follows earlier evaluations conducted in Spain. Airbus says it continues to develop aerial firefighting solutions as part of its broader focus on emergency response and environmental challenges such as large-scale wildfires..
