Latécoère partners with Hynaero to develop French water-bombing aircraft

French aerospace firms Latécoère and Hynaero have joined forces to develop the Fregate-F100, an amphibious water-bombing aircraft designed to combat the escalating threat of forest fires. The initiative aims to provide France with a domestic solution to wildfire suppression, challenging the current reliance on foreign aircraft.

Hynaero, based in Istres, is finalizing the design of the Fregate-F100, with the goal of having it operational by 2031. This new aircraft is slated to have the largest water-carrying capacity on the market, capable of holding 10,000 liters. The companies state that the Fregate-F100 will help reduce the impact of fires on ecosystems and contribute to the fight against climate change. The project is expected to create over 2,500 jobs.

This partnership comes as southern France has been battling wildfires. The collaboration with Latécoère, a subcontractor for Airbus and Boeing, is expected to accelerate the Fregate-F100's development. Latécoère will provide technical expertise and consulting services for the aircraft's design, certification, maintainability, and global marketing. Hynaero's president, David Pincet, expressed optimism that the alliance will speed up development and offer a modern, high-performance alternative to existing fleets, potentially opening doors for further European partnerships.

Latécoère's CEO, André-Hubert Roussel, emphasized the ambition to contribute to a new European aeronautical capacity, combining technological innovation, industrial excellence, and strategic sovereignty. This effort aims to benefit civil security operators and the populations they protect. Other French companies are also developing firefighting aircraft, with Kepplair Evolution and Positive Aviation planning deliveries in the coming years.