Designer–manufacturer provides helicopter tanks for wildfire suppression, auxiliary fuel, and other utility uses.
Madisonville, Tennessee–based Recoil manufactures internal and external tanks for wildfire suppression, auxiliary fuel, and other utility uses. The company was established in 2008 with three partners focused on offering highly effective wildfire-suppression tanks. Since then, Recoil has evolved into a global designer and manufacturer of lightweight, carbon fiber composite wildland fire–suppression systems, aircraft aerostructures, and ballistic-tolerant auxiliary fuel tanks that serve military and commercial operations around the world.
Wildfire Suppression Systems
Recoil’s Tsunami wildfire suppression systems feature rugged and extremely lightweight aerospace carbon fiber composite materials, making them stronger than steel and lighter than fiberglass or aluminum. They also incorporate environmentally friendly pneumatic systems instead of the hydraulics typically found in fire-suppression tanks.
The only internal and external helicopter fire-suppression tanks fabricated with these advanced materials, Recoil systems are marketed as exceptionally lightweight and reliable, giving operators more payload and performance capability than conventional tanks. The products are designed to be corrosion resistant, simple to install and remove, and easily maintained in the field in less than 24 hours.
Tsunami tanks come in three varieties: internal 1,000 gal., external 1,000 gal., and internal 750 gal. Each can deliver its payload in 5 seconds and refill via an external snorkel in 35 to 40 seconds says the company. The tanks can support Airbus AS332 and H225, Leonardo AW189K and EH-101, Mil Mi-8 and Mi-17, and Sikorsky S-71i, S-92, and UH-60 helicopters.
Auxiliary Fuel Tanks
Recoil’s lightweight, ballistically tolerant Zeus auxiliary fuel tanks provide range and loiter time expansion to critical military and commercial helicopter missions. Available in carbon fiber rigid designs and collapsible bags, these systems deliver mission flexibility and weigh up to 50% less than other products on the market, Recoil says. The rigid tanks are designed for Boeing/Columbia CH-47, MD AH-6/MH-6/MD 500, and Leonardo EH-101 helicopters and the fixed-wing Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Recoil also offers a 1,000-gal. multimission utility fluid cargo tank for use in helicopters or airplanes. The tank is compatible with petroleum, diesel, potable water, milk, JP-8, and chemical agents. Because these tanks are simply secured inside the aircraft and don’t require aircraft modification, certification isn’t required.
Recoil also offers custom carbon fiber solutions. The company can design, test, manufacture, and certify custom products for military and commercial customers worldwide.
The company was acquired by Blackhawk Aerospace in March 2022 and later purchased by Blackhawk Aerospace cofounder Matt Shieman in January 2023 to operate as a stand-alone company.
