Simplex has introduced a new DC electric hover pump for its Fire Attack helicopter firefighting system that it says slashes fill times by nearly 50 percent. The first system has been installed on a San Diego Sheriff’s Department Bell 205A1, and deliveries of two more are expected soon.

The increased performance, said Simplex CEO Steve Daniels, will “significantly enhance operator efficiency and responsiveness. We are absolutely delighted with the results of this development effort: performance, weight and quality are all where we wanted them to be.”

The new pump can draw more than 700 gallons per minute using 100 amps of power. This has decreased the fill time on Simplex’s most popular model of firefighting tank, for the Bell 212/412, from 75 seconds to 40 seconds.

Smaller tanks for aircraft such as the Agusta A119, Bell 407, Eurocopter AS 350 and AS 365 and Kazan Ansat will fill significantly faster, at speeds of between 23 and 30 seconds.