The Aircrane Incident Response Systems "AIRS" program has been coordinated to explore unconventional applications in urban disaster scenarios. Lanny Allmaras, Firefighting Program Manager for Erickson Air-Crane and Coordinator for the AIRS program sees immediate application for some of the AIRS missions. "Our goal is to set the framework for an incident response platform involving some capabilities that may be considered unconventional at this time, but will prove effective through testing and development. Others we are able to employ right now." The Helitanker and Water Cannon are capable of dispensing Fire Retardant Gel or Foam mix. The cannon uses the hydraulic power from the tank to propel a focused stream of water or foam mix up to 160 feet (48 meters) at a rate of up to 300 gallons (1,130 litres) per minute. The cannon was originally created to fight high-rise structure fires in congested urban areas, but the Horizontal nozzle can accomplish remote support for firefighting vehicles, or quick-response aerial fire suppression when ground transportation has been interrupted.
Erickson Air-Crane has used the S-64 on many occasions to string large gauge electrical wire atop warehouse facilities and automobile manufacturing plants. A proven system and years of operational experience translate well to emergency installation of nearly any type hose, wire, or conduit.
Originally built for use during the Vietnam War, the "Universal Pod" was used as a large scale troop transport system and mobile medical / surgical facilities. The pod system can be built to accomplish almost any configuration from medical, tactical, command and control, to living quarters.