De Havilland Canada launches DHC-515 firefighter

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. (De Havilland Canada) has launched the De Havilland DHC-515 firefighter (formerly known as the CL-515) program.

"After an extensive business and technical review, we are pleased to announce that we have launched the De Havilland DHC-515 Firefighter program, which will involve negotiating contracts with our European customers and ramping up for production," said Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada.

The DHC-515 Firefighter will build on the history of the iconic Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft which have been a critical part of European and North American aerial firefighting fleets for over 50 years. Important upgrades are being made that will increase the functionality and effectiveness of this legendarily rugged firefighting aircraft.

European customers have signed letters of intent to purchase the first 22 aircraft pending the positive outcome of government-to-government negotiations through the Government of Canada's contracting agency, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). De Havilland Canada expects first deliveries of the DHC-515 by the middle of the decade, with deliveries of aircraft 23 and beyond to begin at the end of the decade, providing other customers the opportunity to renew existing fleets or proceed with new acquisition opportunities at that time.

De Havilland Canada acquired the Canadair CL program in 2016 and has been contemplating a return to production since 2019. The new DHC-515 Firefighter matches the other aircraft in the De Havilland fleet in terms of lifespan, ruggedness, and Canadian aerospace engineering quality. The final assembly of the aircraft will take place in Calgary, Alberta, where work on the CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft currently takes place. It is anticipated that more than 500 people will need to be recruited through the coming years to successfully deliver this program.

"To bring the DHC-515 into production is important for not only our company, but countries around the world who rely on our aircraft to protect their people and forests," said Chafe. "We understand the important role the previous aircraft have played in protecting people and property and as our climate continues to change and summers increase in both temperature and length, the DHC-515 will be an important tool for countries around the globe to use in putting out fires."

The DHC-515 delivers multiple drops, in rapid succession, meaning faster fire suppression and allowing the aircraft and flight crew to better follow the behavior of today's wildfires.

It delivers the highest quantity of water into the fire-zone per day (nearly 700,000L), more than twice as much as its nearest competitor, and it refills its tanks in 12 seconds, from nearby fresh or saltwater sources including rivers, small lakes, and oceans, while land-based aircraft must return to airport after each drop.

A high-lift wing and turboprop engines with instant thrust, each allow for safer operation in mountainous terrain and the ability to drop close to fire with superior precision. It performs in high winds typical with megafires, capable of refilling in rough waters with waves up to 2m caused by those winds.

Its turboprop engines produce up to 50% lower CO₂ emissions, burning 25% to 40% less fuel than jet engines.

In February 2022, De Havilland Canada became the operating brand for the companies that previously operated as Longview Aviation, Viking Air Ltd., Pacific Sky Training, and De Havilland Canada.