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Retirement of the Tracker Aircraft

The End of an Era for French Civil Protection

After nearly forty years of loyal service, the iconic Tracker aircraft of France’s Sécurité Civile (Civil Protection) were officially retired in February 2020. Known for their role in fighting forest fires—especially in southern France—these water bombers served generations of firefighters, pilots, and residents in fire-prone regions. Their retirement, driven by safety and technical concerns, clears the way for a modern fleet led by Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.

A Long Career in the Fight Against Wildfires

The first Trackers joined France’s aerial firefighting fleet in 1982, after being converted from their original role as American anti-submarine warfare aircraft (Grumman S-2). Modified to carry between 3 and 3.2 tons of fire retardant, they quickly became a key part of the French summer fire season.

Agile, durable, and efficient, the Trackers proved effective in complex terrain and during fast-moving wildfires, especially in the Mediterranean region. For nearly four decades, they carried out thousands of water drops, often leading the first wave of firefighting efforts.

Warning Signs and Aging Aircraft

Despite their resilience, the fleet began to show serious signs of aging. In August 2019, Tracker T22 crashed during a mission in the Gard region, tragically killing the pilot. Just weeks later, another aircraft—T12—suffered a landing gear failure in Béziers due to advanced corrosion.

A full inspection followed, revealing alarming deterioration across the fleet. Some aircraft dated back to the 1950s, and most had reached or exceeded the 25,000-hour flight limit recommended by the manufacturer. Continuing to fly them posed a serious safety risk.

Accelerated Retirement Becomes Unavoidable

In response, the Ministry of the Interior made the decision to permanently ground all remaining Tracker aircraft in February 2020. Though retirement had already been planned, the events of 2019 accelerated the timeline. The last seven operational Trackers were officially withdrawn from service.

To preserve the legacy of these iconic aircraft, some were donated to museums or aviation associations, while one Tracker remains on display at the Nîmes-Garons base.

Enter the Dash 8: A Modern Successor

The Tracker’s retirement did not leave a gap in firefighting capability. As early as 2018, France had signed a contract for six Dash 8 Q400 aircraft equipped for firefighting missions. Delivered between 2019 and 2023, these modern aircraft are faster, safer, and far more versatile.

With a retardant capacity of up to 10 tons, the Dash 8s significantly increase aerial firefighting power while improving crew safety and aircraft availability.

Conclusion

The departure of the Trackers marks the end of a historic chapter in French aerial firefighting. With their distinctive red-and-white livery and unmistakable engine roar, the Trackers became a familiar sight—and sound—over burning forests and fire lines across France.

Though they no longer fly, the Trackers will be remembered as the pioneers of aerial firefighting in France and as faithful allies in the fight to protect people, nature, and property.

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