How about a combination of local AT 802 and some medium helo ?
Works well for RFS
IMHO, DSE Air Desk have hung their hats on the Aircrane and belly tanks, and really don't understand that there is a world of experience outside their little empire
RFS will utilise air assets from the word go, and contain a fire until ground troops and assets can be deployed to put it out. DSE will hum and ha for a few hours, let the dragon roar, then demand Aircranes relocate 200nm (with a refuel) to work the fire, while the mediums sit on their @rse watching it all turn to worms.
Oz is a big place, and whilst the 802's are excellent when on scene, they often have a huge transit from the nearest firebase (reload/refuel) to the drop zone, thus reducing their effectiveness. Medium Helitaks with a long line to get into waterholes down through trees are usually the quickest turnround, despite lower load outs.
A bomber is only as good as its driver (airframe): when the Aircranes first started here about 8-9 years ago, their drivers were the best in the business, and never missed. As the fleet has expanded the standard has reduced a bit, which is to be expected as pilots need experience to become competent. A missed load of 6-7000lt can be the catalyst for losing a fire: a missed load of 1400lt may not always be an issue, especially if there is a daisy chain with 2 or 3 more loads only minutes away
