Aircraft
Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers
ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse
ATR 72 in flight, Kepplair livery stripes
An initial ATR 72 airframe was delivered to Toulouse this summer and, following two ‘shakedown’ flights, will now undergo a proprietary aerial firefighting modification. © Kepplair Evolution

Kepplair Evolution has flight tested an ATR 72 regional airliner that it plans to modify for a new role as a fire-fighting water bomber. The French company announced last week that it will now start converting the aircraft before starting an operational qualification program early next year as it targets an EASA supplemental type certificate.  

Founded in 2012, Kepplair is primarily focused on what it calls the 'Forest Keeper" platform to provide new options for fighting wild fires. The company also has plans to adapt ATR 72 passenger aircraft for cargo-carrying and medical evacuation roles.