The Cloudburst Fire Bucket by IMS New Zealand is the preferred helicopter fire bucket for aerial firefighting in both military and civilian operations worldwide.
Helicopters fitted with Cloudburst Fire Buckets have become synonymous with professional aerial firefighting and global wildfire suppression. Designed specifically for helicopter external load operations, Cloudburst is a high-performance collapsible helicopter fire bucket that has earned a worldwide reputation for reliability, durability, and exceptional firefighting performance. As the definitive external load water delivery system for modern helicopter fleets, Cloudburst is trusted by commercial operators, government agencies, and aerial firefighting professionals operating in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
Manufactured since 2005, the Cloudburst has benefited from continuous product development and operational feedback from operators across the globe, ensuring it remains one of the world’s premier helicopter firefighting solutions. Constructed from tough, durable urethane materials, the Cloudburst features a proven fail-safe-to-open Monsoon Valve capable of precision multi-drop water delivery, along with optional shallow-fill pump systems, foam and retardant additive injection systems, and a range of configurations to suit different helicopter types and aerial firefighting missions. Built to perform when it matters most, the Cloudburst continues to set the benchmark for helicopter firefighting equipment worldwide.
Cloudburst Fire Bucket in Operations
Key Features
Purpose-built for Aerial Fire Suppression
The Cloudburst Fire Bucket is manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials designed to withstand high levels of abrasion. This means each aerial firefighting bucket can be filled from various water sources, utilizing the optional shallow-fill external pump for austere environments. It can be dip-filled from fresh water, salt water, and chlorinated swimming pools. Cloudburst is trusted by military and civilian operators worldwide.
Tough & Durable Fire Buckets
The Cloudburst Fire Bucket is made of tough and durable Urethane-Coated PVC, an industry-recognized super material that is both tough and flexible. As a collapsible helicopter fire bucket, it is strong, load bearing, impact-resistant, and able to withstand high operating temperatures. The exact material we use to manufacture this external load water delivery system is trusted by the US Navy and Coastguard because it is non-marking, offers excellent UV stabilization, and strongly resists the growth of algae and fungus.
Self-Contained Additive Injection System
The Cloudburst Fire Bucket features an optional Additive Injection System activated by a simple push button. A pump delivers a foaming agent for a timed period, with the duration determined by the pilot or crew. When they are ready to dispense foam, they simply press the button to commence the timed operation of the pump.
Cloudburst Water Capacity Control
Control over payload capacity is critical when fighting fires from the air. The pilot may need to carry less water in the aerial firefighting helicopter bucket to safely account for varying fuel loads, altitude, or weather conditions across Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 aircraft operations. Compared with traditional monsoon buckets, Cloudburst features a Multi-Drop Valve, allowing for easy adjustment of water volume.
Multi-Drop Monsoon Valve for Efficient Flight time
The Cloudburst Fire Bucket ‘Monsoon Valve’ gives the aerial firefighter a more efficient use of both water resources and flight time by utilizing multi-drop capabilities. This means the pilot or crew have total and precise control of their payload, whether the wildfire is isolated or scattered across multiple hot spots. Cloudburst Fire Buckets are available in a wide range of capacities to suit various aircraft and operational needs.
Technical Specifications & Resources
- ⦾ Multi-drop capable with the advanced Monsoon Valve fitted.
- ⦾ Optional enclosed Additive (foam) Injection System for enhanced fire suppression.
- ⦾ Compact design for easy stowage and ground handling.
- ⦾ Fast Valve Actuation speed for precise water delivery.
- ⦾ Variation in spread pattern with the Monsoon Valve fitted.
- ⦾ Built for Easy Maintenance and Repair in the Field.
- ⦾ Tough and durable urethane construction.
- ⦾ The pilot can vary the volume of each load with the multi-drop Monsoon Valve.
- ⦾ Optional Shallow-Fill pumping systems for limited water sources.
- ⦾ Our fastest flow rate ever, faster than our legacy models.
| Model | Litres | US gallons | *Empty weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB130 | 130 | 34 | 27 kg |
| CB200 | 200 | 53 | 28 kg |
| CB280 | 280 | 74 | 29 kg |
| CB420 | 420 | 111 | 38 kg |
| CB500 | 500 | 132 | 39 kg |
| CB640 | 640 | 169 | 43 kg |
| CB750 | 750 | 198 | 49 kg |
| CB1000 | 1,000 | 264 | 58 kg |
| CB1200 | 1,200 | 317 | 67 kg |
| CB1400 | 1,400 | 370 | 76 kg |
| CB2000 | 2,000 | 528 | 104 kg |
| CB3000 | 3,000 | 793 | 147 kg |
| CB5000 | 5,000 | 1,321 | 215 kg |
| CB10000 | 10,000 | 2,642 | 314 kg |
*Empty weight varies based on customized configurations.
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IMS Sales | imssales@imsheli.com | +64 21 583 033
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