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The
Il-76 turbofan jet cargo aircraft is by far the world's most formidable,
fastest, longest-range, air tanker. For fire fighting and ocean oil
spill dispersal, as well as for dispersion on (e.g.) chemicals plants
in upset conditions, it comes outfitted with a twin-tank system capable
of carrying either 100,000 or 135,000 pounds of liquid and can be filled
and ready for takeoff in 15 minutes. In its smaller 100,000 pound version,
this patented system is capable of depositing more than 3,608-3,937
ft x 263-295 ft of liquid in one 8-10 second pass - water only - and
one 15-20 second pass with foam additive. This is up to five (5)
times greater than the volume deliverable by the largest-volume "water
bomber" commonly used in the world today. (source: actual observed
data from Australian test)
 An
Il-76 can also offload its twin tanks in a single salvo, yielding a
smaller, heavier, saturation drop pattern for use on particularly hot
or powerful blazes or other special situations.
The aircraft is equipped with heat-seeking
devices and associated computer-driven fire data simulations providing
assistance with aiming the drop for maximum effect on mass fire.
In fire fighting, liquid drops are
normally delivered at a speed of 151 knots at 300 feet altitude. Liquids
descend vertically, as rain, evenly penetrating forest canopy, thereby
optimizing the fire-retarding effect on the forest floor.
Liquids
mixes certified for use with the aircraft by Ilyushin Design Bureau,
include Monsanto PHOS-CHEK WD 881. Prospects for certification
for slurry use are excellent.
A fully-integrated emergency service
complete with spares and certified EMERCOM crew for fire fighting, humanitarian
relief, and disaster mitigation and prevention stands ready for emergency
deployment. Emergency availability is managed on a 48-hour, best efforts
call-out basis. Plans for radialogical disaster prevention are also
offered
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