Our vision
Founded in 2012, Kepplair Evolution was born out of necessity: to provide an industrial, environmentally friendly and sovereign response to the rise in climate risks. Our vision is to provide states and operators with an aerial civil protection solution that is modern, financially accessible and environmentally responsible (40% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to jets).
Team & experts
A large-scale aeronautical project requires the alliance of field expertise and cutting-edge engineering
David Joubert
Founder
Trained pilot, behind the Kepplair Evolution project since 2012.
Stéphane Adnet
Corporate Secretary
Former CEO of the In Situ group, corporate secretary of Kepplair Evolution since August 2025.
Dominique Legendre
Scientific advisor
Researcher specialized in fluid mechanics applied to firefighting.
Bruno Adam
Vice President Program Management
Leads KEPPLAIR 72's technical programs, from conversion through to entry into service.
Christophe Debray
Vice President Business and Development
28 years in civil security, former EMEA civil security cooperator and director of risk management at TDS Group.
The Council of Sages
A distinguished advisory board bringing strategic insight, technical excellence and operational know-how to make the KEPPLAIR 72 a game-changer in aerial firefighting.
Jean-Baptiste Djebbari
Former Deputy Minister of Transport — Strategic vision & public affairs
Former airline pilot and Minister of Transport, now managing partner at Magelin; advises Kepplair Evolution on aviation regulation and strategic positioning.
Tomasz Krysinski
Former VP R&D, Airbus Helicopters — Innovation & strategy
Former innovation leader at PSA Peugeot Citroën and Aérospatiale; brings expertise in complex programme management and industrial transformation.
Philippe Rigaud
Former Senior Officer (ret.), French Civil Security — Operational expertise & crisis management
Former emergency operations commander, expert in crisis management and wildfire response; ensures the KEPPLAIR 72 meets the operational needs of civil safety teams.
Éric Delessalle
Test Pilot & Chief Pilot, Novespace, former ATR — Flight test & operational safety
17 years as ATR chief test pilot; deep knowledge of ATR performance and certification, ensuring the KEPPLAIR 72's flight safety in extreme conditions.
Xavier Tytelman
Communication, project & carbon economy consultant — Communication & sustainability strategy
Specialist in strategic communication and complex project management; advises Kepplair Evolution on carbon footprint reduction and environmental impact.
Johan Clochet
CEO, Aerotec & Concept — Avionics, systems & certification
Leads the industrial conversion of the ATR 72 into the KEPPLAIR 72, bringing expertise in fleet integration, flight testing and STC certification.
Robert Lafontan
Former Airbus chief engineer (A380/A350) — Aircraft design, systems & certification
Former A380 test pilot, brings his experience in aeronautical design, certification and industrialisation to the KEPPLAIR 72 programme.
Dominique Legendre
Professor, IMFT — CNRS / Toulouse INP — Fluid dynamics & drop science
World-renowned expert in multiphase flows, co-inventor of the KEDS® patent with Kepplair Evolution; leads the scientific validation of the drop system.
United by passion, experience and a common mission: to deliver the most effective, sustainable and operationally ready aerial firefighting solution.
Key players & Partners
Kepplair Evolution builds on the excellence of the French aeronautical industry.
IMFT (Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse)
Research and modelling of the drop system.
MRO & Industrial partners
E.g. Aerotec & Concept.
Regional and national backing
Detailed on our Partners page.
Join the Kepplair Evolution journey
Investment funds and institutional investors: join a programme already backed by France 2030 and the Région Occitanie, driven by confirmed commercial traction, and help build a sovereign, sustainable French aeronautical industry.
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