Neptune Aviation Services has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319. The new aircraft delivery kickstarts a fleet modernization effort for the company, which specializes in aerial firefighting.

The new development will see Neptune introduce the narrow-body jet as a wildland firefighting airtanker for the first time. It will join the firm’s existing fleet of BAe 146 airtankers.

Neptune Aviation’s new firefighting airtanker

Neptine’s new Airbus A319 was delivered to Commercial Jet’s 400,000-square-foot maintenance facility in Dothan, Alabama, where it will undergo conversion into an airtanker.

The modifications are expected to take about 18 months, with the aircraft slated for operational deployment in the 2028 wildfire season. Neptune currently operates a fleet of nine BAe 146 airtankers that have supported firefighting efforts globally for the past decade.

The acquisition of the Airbus A319 forms part of a global effort to boost aerial firefighting capabilities due to an uptick in extreme wildfires caused by climate change.

“The acquisition of our first A319 is a pivotal moment for our organization and the wildland firefighting industry,” Nic Lynn, Vice President of Operations at Neptune Aviation, explained in a press statement. “The upgrade of our airtanker fleet is fully underway. We have a physical aircraft available that we can convert for aerial firefighting.”

Neptune selected the A319 after more than two years of evaluation focused on retardant capacity, fuel efficiency, availability, and long-term serviceability.

The conversion is projected to boost retardant capacity to at least 4,500 gallons, up from the BAe 146’s maximum of 3,000 gallons. The A319 also offers greater fuel capacity, reducing reload frequency and extending time over fires, along with a higher cruise speed for faster response times.

Neptune’s growing aerial firefighting fleet

Neptune recently completed its Critical Design Review, finalizing major decisions and moving into manufacturing drawings. Test flights are scheduled in the coming weeks.

The Airbus A319 modifications, which Commercial Jet will implement, were designed by France-based engineering firm Aerotec & Concept.

“The arrival of our first A319 culminates years of planning within Neptune and collaboration with valued partners to ensure we remain at the forefront of aerial firefighting,” said Jennifer Draughon, President of Neptune Aviation. “As wildfire threats grow in size and complexity, we are investing in the next generation of airtankers to continue to deliver the capabilities expected by our agency partners and the communities we protect.”

The A319, part of the Airbus A320 family, features advanced fly-by-wire avionics. The system processes pilot inputs through computers and transmits electrical signals to flight controls, improving safety, reliability, maneuverability, and reducing aircraft weight by removing mechanical linkages.

Based in Missoula, Montana, Neptune Aviation has served as a primary provider of aerial firefighting services to the US Forest Service for over 30 years. The company employs over 240 people and offers a range of aviation maintenance, training, and operational services in addition to its airtanker program.

This development positions Neptune to address increasing wildfire challenges with enhanced capacity and performance. The company plans to expand its A319 fleet in the coming years as part of its long-term strategy.

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