Morocco approves 1,000-gallon external tank for Black Hawk helicopters

Tuesday 09 December 2025 - 11:00

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco approves 1,000-gallon external tank for Black Hawk helicopters

Morocco has added a significant new capability to its Black Hawk helicopter fleet. Recoil Aerospace Inc. announced that Moroccan authorities have officially certified its “Tsunami” external firefighting tank, now approved for a capacity of 1,000 gallons (approximately 4,000 liters) under STC SR02584AK, joining a growing list of international approvals.

The certification applies to all UH-60 type certificate holders and every version of the UH-60 and S-70 Black Hawk models. Morocco now joins the United States (FAA), Europe (EASA), Canada, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and South Korea among the authorities approving this system.

The Tsunami tank, made from aerospace-grade carbon fiber, attaches beneath the fuselage without requiring modifications to the landing gear. Recoil emphasizes rapid installation—just a few minutes—minimal airframe alterations, and reduced crew training, making it a key operational advantage during emergency missions.

The system maintains a maximum approved speed of 130 knots, a 4,000-liter water capacity, a 132-liter foam tank, and a pulsed lighting system compatible with NVG/NVIS. Its low-profile design allows direct under-fuselage mounting without altering the landing gear.

Joseph Rice, President of Recoil Aerospace, highlighted that the expanded type certificates now provide a U.S.-made aerial firefighting solution ready for current and future campaigns. He also emphasized the fast installation, full retraction of the tank, and “highest approved speed in the sector,” essential for maximizing sortie rates and water drop efficiency.

Tsunami tanks are manufactured in partnership with Aerospace Composites Solutions (ACS) in Kentucky, at an AS9100-certified facility. U.S. wildfire programs can now incorporate this extended-capacity version to enhance aerial firefighting effectiveness.