Aerospace, Defence & Marine... 

Aerial Fire Fighting

Aerial Fire Fighting Plane
Application

Valve control for the dispensing system of the Evergreen Supertanker firefighting jet.

Customer

Evergreen Aviation Supertanker.

The Challenge

Speed and force were needed for the Evergreen Supertanker or “water bomber,” - a modified Boeing 747 cargo jet - designed to hold, transport and dump 24,000 gallons of fluid on large ground fires.

The cargo hold is fitted with 4 fluid tanks, which dump from the bottom of the plane via four 16” diameter butterfly valve openings. The supertanker does the work of 7 standard fire-fighting planes.

The Solution

The Exlar GSX40 is deployed in two areas of the application. For safety and for dump control, each tank must maintain absolute pressure control (sloshing 24,000 gallons of water would be a “catastrophic event”). The GSX40 controls the pressure regulation valve between the air pressure tanks and the fluid holding tanks. Additionally, another GSX40 regulates the dump valve, which controls the fluid dump.

Compact

Compact

High Strength

High Strength

Reduced Maintenance

Reduced Maintenance

Long Life

Long Life

Results
  • Exceptionally fast responses to command signal changes
  • Roller screws offer up to 15 times longer life than ball screw actuators
  • Less energy consumption with electric actuation
  • Accurate and repeatable positioning
  • Wide variety of mounting styles
  • High cycle rates
  • Multiple stroke lengths
  • Available in standard sizes offering peak forces from 100 to 40,000 pounds
  • Operation with nearly any servo amplifier
  • Higher stiffness due to integrated design

T-Minus 29 Days To Space Tech Expo Europe

Olsen Actuators & Drives are attending Europe’s largest B2B space event. Space...
Read Full Story

Olsen Actuators & Drives appoints new Managing Director

Olsen Actuators & Drives has announced the appointment of Ian Walch as its new...
Read Full Story

Electric & Hybrid Aerospace Technology Symposium

The Electric & Hybrid Aerospace Technology Symposium is a two-day event which...
Read Full Story

DroneX Tradeshow & Conference: A Resounding Success!

Last week, the Olsen Actuators & Drives team exhibited at their inaugural...
Read Full Story

Leading UAV Manufacturers Descend On Excel London

DroneX Trade Show & Conference is Europe’s leading business event that is...
Read Full Story

New Space Products & Custom Actuator Solutions Showcased at Farnborough International Airshow

The Olsen Actuators & Drives team attended their second Farnborough...
Read Full Story

Ready for Take Off - FIA 2024

The resurgence of the aerospace industry after the COVID years appears to be...
Read Full Story

Olsen Actuators & Drives at Automate UK 2024

Last week the Olsen Actuators & Drives team attended Automate UK, 18th - 19th...
Read Full Story

2 Weeks until Automation UK 2024

The Olsen Actuators & Drives team is excited to be exhibiting at Automation UK...
Read Full Story