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Spitfire Aerial Drip Torch (ADT)
Controlled ignition. Greater reach. Less risk on the ground.
Aerial ignition for controlled burning
Cromarty Automation's proprietary product, the SpitfireADT is an aerial drip torch designed for helicopter-based prescribed burning, backburning and land management operations.
Suspended beneath a helicopter, the unit dispenses ignited gelled fuel from altitude, allowing fire to be placed accurately across large, remote or difficult-to-access areas. Its low-speed deployment and precise control make it particularly effective in rugged terrain where ground-based ignition may be slower, less practical or place personnel at greater risk.
How it works
The SpitfireADT comprises a fuel storage tank, dispensing and ignition system, control equipment and protective frame.
Gelled petrol is pumped from the tank through a discharge relief valve and ignited by a high-voltage spark at the tip of the discharge needle. From inside the helicopter, the operator uses a hand control to regulate fuel flow and ignition, allowing the burn pattern to be adjusted during flight.
Designed for operational control
The SpitfireADT allows operators to ignite sparse or continuous fuels efficiently across large areas while maintaining control over fuel flow, placement and ignition.
Its helicopter-mounted design provides:
Accurate fire placement across irregular terrain
Rapid deployment during suitable weather windows
Controlled ignition over large areas
Reduced reliance on ground crews in hazardous locations
Access to remote and inaccessible sites
Adjustable fuel flow and spark ignition from the aircraft
200L & 450L tank capacities, depending on mission size and flight time requirements
The connection system also incorporates a breakaway plug, allowing the unit to be jettisoned during flight if required
Applications
The SpitfireADT is suited to:
Prescribed burning
Backburning operations
Forest and vegetation management
Fuel reduction programs
Remote-area fire management
Large-scale controlled ignition
Developed for practical field use, the SpitfireADT provides a cost-effective and controlled aerial ignition solution for fire and land management operations.
