Phoenix Response Systems – PF-2K25

Phoenix Response Systems developed the PF-2K25, a remotely operated and autonomous multi-engine firefighting aircraft designed to provide rapid wildfire suppression while reducing risks to firefighters and flight crews. The aircraft is designed to scoop water from lakes or reservoirs, carry a 16,000-pound payload, and conduct repeated targeted water drops during firefighting operations. Drawing from comparable water-bombing aircraft, the team completed aircraft sizing, mission fuel-fraction and engine analyses, wing and empennage design, fuselage structural and shear-flow analyses, water-tank and drop-door studies, scoop-probe sizing, and landing-gear design. The final concept combines autonomous operations with a large water payload and rapid scooping capability to improve the speed and safety of aerial wildfire response.