2 June 2026: Transall Tankers and technology company Tabula have partnered to integrate live fireground intelligence capability into the Transall C-160 aerial firefighting platform, supporting the development of a more advanced and connected bushfire response capability for Australia and selected international markets.
The integration of Tabula’s FireVision platform will combine live fireground mapping, thermal imaging, aerial asset tracking and operational intelligence with the heavy-lift capability of the C-160 aircraft platform.
The announcement comes as bushfire agencies globally continue facing increasing pressure from larger, faster-moving and more complex fire events, particularly across remote and regional environments where access, visibility and coordination remain major operational challenges.
The technology is being integrated as Transall Tankers continues progressing through the certification and approvals process required before the aircraft can enter operational service in Australia.i
Once operational, the integrated system will provide aerial crews and incident management teams with near real-time visibility across the fireground, supporting faster operational decision-making, improved crew safety and more effective coordination between air and ground resources during active bushfire operations.
Transall Tankers Founder and President John McDermott said modern aerial firefighting increasingly relied on intelligence-led operations, not simply aircraft capability alone.
“Modern aerial firefighting is no longer just about dropping water or retardant on a firefront. It’s about delivering real-time intelligence, visibility and coordination that supports faster and safer operational decision-making,” Mr McDermott said.
“The integration of FireVision into the Transall Tankers platform forms part of our broader objective to develop a firefighting capability specifically designed for the realities of remote, regional and complex fireground environments.
“The aircraft have undergone extensive flight evaluations and operational development work, and our focus remains on progressing the approvals required to bring this capability into operational service.”
The FireVision platform integrates with Lab 308 infrared imaging systems and Helitak firefighting tank technology to provide operational capability including:
- thermal imaging overlays
- active fire edge visibility
- drop zone guidance
- hazard identification
- aerial asset tracking
Tabula CEO and Executive Chairman Michael Whittaker said the partnership reflected growing demand for more connected firefighting operations.
“FireVision has been developed to provide firefighting operators and incident management teams with greater visibility and operational intelligence during active incidents where timing, coordination and situational awareness are critical,” Mr Whittaker said.
“By integrating FireVision into the Transall Tankers platform, crews and incident management teams will have access to near real-time fireground intelligence designed to support improved coordination and more informed operational decision-making.”
Transall Tankers currently has four C-160 aircraft in its fleet, with one aircraft fully prepared for deployment once certification is complete and another in the final stages of modification for firefighting operations.
Equipped with Helitak FT Series tank systems, the aircraft have a design carrying capacity of 14,500 litres and are designed to refill rapidly from regional locations where water sources are available, helping reduce reliance on major bases and supporting faster return-to-operation capability.
The Transall C-160 aircraft were selected for their ability to operate in rugged terrain and access regional and remote airstrips unsuitable for larger fixed-wing firefighting aircraft.
Transall Tankers said its long-term objective was to develop one of the most technologically integrated aerial firefighting platforms globally, combining heavy-lift retardant delivery with integrated live fireground intelligence and connected operational technologies.
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For more information and images, please contact Jennifer or Heather at The Comms. People:
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au
About Transall Tankers
Transall Tankers is a specialist aerial firefighting organisation developing heavy fixed-wing firefighting capability for Australia and selected international markets using the Transall C-160 aircraft platform.
The company is progressing certification and operational readiness of a fleet of four aircraft designed for operations in remote and regional environments, supported by Helitak FT Series tank systems developed in partnership with Queensland-based Helitak Firefighting Equipment.
The C-160 platform combines heavy-lift capability, long-range endurance and short take-off and landing performance to support aerial firefighting operations in challenging environments.
About FireVision by Tabula
FireVision by Tabula is an advanced aerial firefighting intelligence and operational coordination platform built on Tabula’s proven AirVision technology.
Designed to support aerial firefighting contractors, pilots, and incident management teams, FireVision delivers integrated mapping, live aerial asset tracking, fireground visibility, terrain awareness, drop zone prediction, and connected operational intelligence in near real time. The platform is designed to improve operational coordination, situational awareness, and decision-making during complex aerial and ground firefighting operations.