The world is experiencing devastating forest fires that are growing in size and severity. The existing fleets of amphibious water bomber aircraft are aging. This impacts the availability of the aircraft and increases maintenance costs, in a market dominated by the Canadair monopoly over the last 50 years (CL215 then CL415).

Faced with the challenges of expanding and renewing the fleets, the current monopoly poses a risk to the future ability of states & private operators to equip and respond to the challenges of climate change and the dramatic environmental and economic consequences of “mega-fires”.

Forest fires account for 20% of CO2 emissions. They destroy ecosystems and the ability of vegetation to capture carbon for years. Wildfires are now also considered as contributors to global warming. Effective fighting of forest fires can directly slow down global warming.

The company Hynaero, located in Bordeaux, is launching the Fregate-F100 program to provide private and institutional operators with a modern aircraft adapted to future theaters of engagement and capable of operating on the existing network of water areas currently used to scoop. The increased capacity of scooping allows the autonomy of action and a high rate of rotations to attack and control the fires. Aircraft of lesser capacity or having to be refilled on the ground do not provide a sufficient rate of intervention.

With a capacity of 10 tons of water and an increased speed, the Fregate brings a real capacity game changer. Its modern design, state of the art operational mission system and integrated maintenance will make it possible to obtain increased availability while developing the industrial know-how of the partners.

170 Canadair are currently in operation around the world, including about 90 in Europe. With fleet renewals and the acquisition of new capacities, the market for the coming 10-30 years is estimated up to 300 aircraft, i.e. €15-20 bn. Support to the fleet for 30 years represents further activities and revenue streams.

Hynaero is working on setting up its design office and final assembly line in the heart of the Bordeaux-Mérignac / Nouvelle Aquitaine aeronautical region, which offers all the advantages of a robust industrial aeronautical ecosystem and available land. The incubator contract with Bordeaux Technowest already illustrates the formal commitment of partners in the region and the city as well as the interest of economic and financial partners.

Hynaero is developing a worldwide system of industrial partnerships to rely on established companies such as Airbus, Thales, P&W, Safran, Latecoere, etc. The assembly line represents 500+ direct and indirect jobs. It is also estimated that 2,000 jobs will be created for the supply-chain over the life of the aircraft, i.e. 30 to 40 years. Offsets with major customers and investors will be considered.

The Fregate-F100 is a carbon-free aircraft by definition because each hour of flight emits 10T of CO2 and preserves 80 to 150T of CO2 captured by the preserved vegetation.

In accordance with its economic roadmap, Europe will support a European industrial program allowing regaining sovereignty over this critical security capability for member states.

In addition, this will be a major project of re-industrialization in Europe and partner countries. The launch of program which consists of the start-up phase (9 months – 1M€) then the ramp-up year (12-months - €15M€) will be financed with a mix of subsidies, equity and debt.

Hynaero raised 1.1M€ and launch the “concept feasibility” phase and just opened the Seed “concept design” fundraising of 15M€ (at least 10M€ in equity).

Hynaero received already 2 LoI from French Civil Security and an Australian private operator.

Some countries and operators also indicated their interest for a transport version (passengers & freight) or for a maritime patrol or a Search & Rescue version.

The support of the New Aquitaine Region, the European Investment Bank-European Commission, along with worldwide private investors will ensure the

technological and commercial success of the program. It is crucial that Europe, France and other concerned countries mobilize now.

Product Development Plan

This CS25 program requires 1Md€ from cradle to certification with 2 prototypes

Financial requirements for the ramp-up phase and then the initial design:

- Ramp-up (Feasibility) – 9 months: 1M€

- Concept Design phase – 12 months: 15M€