A $481,423 investment by the Australian Government will support Noosa’s Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment to develop the world’s largest aerial firefighting tankers, helping protect people, properties and wildlife from the threat of bushfire.
Helitak Fire Fighting Equipment is one of five businesses to share in $2.9 million as part of the latest Accelerating Commercialisation grants, under the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme.
“Helitak is at the very forefront of aerial firefighting technology, and this funding will help the company to finalise designs, test, and internationally certify its expandable water tank that can be attached to Sikorsky S-92 helicopters,” Federal Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said.
“This will benefit communities not just in Australia but throughout the whole world, by amplifying the response capabilility of firefighters. It’s a further boost to the region’s reputation for innovation in firefighting technology, plus it’s creating local jobs and will bring millions of dollars into Wide Bay’s economy through exports.”
Helitak’s chief operating officer Paul Blundell thanked Mr O’Brien for his ongoing support, and said the new tanks would be a game-changer for aerial firefighting.
“When Helitak’s FT-5000 tanks are fitted to Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, it means the helicopters are capable of delivering up to 19 firefighters to the fire zone, supporting them from the air with water bombing as well as being able to carry cargo and undertake both emergency and medical evacuations,” Mr Blundell said.
“The new tank we have developed means the Sikorsky S-92 is one of the largest aerial firefighting utility helicopters globally that is to be able to carry all of these things at the same time while also performing emergency evacuations and will make a real difference to firefighting operations.”
