Kepplair Evolution reaches a major milestone with the delivery of its first prototype aircraft this summer, on track to begin first tests by the end of the year!
Press release - Toulouse, 28 May 2026
Kepplair Evolution, which recently received official support from the French government and the Occitanie region as part of the France 2030 plan and the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) for its multi-role water bomber, the KEPPLAIR 72 “Forest Keeper,” is now reaching a decisive milestone with the imminent delivery of its first test aircraft.
Based on a converted ATR 72, the KEPPLAIR 72 is a multi-role water bomber with a 7.5-ton capacity and ground refueling capabilities. It is designed for firefighting but can also be used, depending on customer needs, for cargo transport or medical evacuation.
Provided to Kepplair Evolution by its partner ACIA-Aero Capital, the first test prototype - an ATR 72 cargo aircraft - will arrive at Toulouse-Blagnac this summer, where it will be converted into a water bomber by Aerotec & Concept, the European leader in aircraft modifications. This conversion will be carried out using a system developed exclusively for Kepplair Evolution by Trotter Controls, an international leader in the design and manufacture of telemetry and drop systems for water bomber aircraft.
The goal is to begin drop tests by the end of this year, with a view to certification and first deliveries in 2027.
The KEPPLAIR 72 project aims to provide a rapid, innovative, and sustainable solution to the aging and strained global fleet of water bombers, against a backdrop of increasing wildfires and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. This is part of an eort to improve energy eiciency and reduce environmental impact, while addressing issues of national sovereignty, regional resilience, and public safety. [...]