Kepplair prepares ATR 72 for firefighting conversion

Kepplair Evolution, a French firm based in Toulouse, is preparing an ATR 72 twin-turboprop aircraft for conversion into a water bomber. The company anticipates receiving supplemental type certification (STC) for this modification by 2027. Kepplair took delivery of the ATR 72 last month and has already finished two stages of the conversion process. This project aims to secure STC next year, indicating a planned rollout of the new firefighting capability. The transformation will utilize the existing ATR 72 platform, leveraging its range and payload capacity for critical missions.