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helicoptersmagazine.com • Helicopters Staff

DART Aerospace wins new Transport Canada STC for Bell medium Fire Attack System Model 304 enhancements

DART Aerospace has received a new Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) STC (SH26-18) covering enhancements to its Fire Attack System Model 304 for medium Bell helicopters. The approval applies to Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412 and UH-1H operators seeking updated fire-attack capability within an approved installation baseline.

2026-04-29T12:05:31.794005-07:00

Via Satellite

Canada cancels WildFireSat constellation contract with Spire Global

2026-04-29T14:53:06.240095-07:00

Vertical Mag

Firefighting helicopter missions hinge on a sustained MRO “maintenance battle”

2026-04-29T09:00:44.924110-07:00

Vertical Mag

Voxelis turns helicopters into real-time wildfire mapping data-gatherers with on-platform AI

2026-04-22T09:20:28.514103-07:00

News Timeline

Via Satellite

Canada cancels WildFireSat constellation contract with Spire Global Canada has terminated its contract with Spire Global for the planned WildFireSat constellation of wildfire-monitoring satellites. The cancellation halts Canada’s effort to build a space-based wildfire observation capability under that procurement program, shifting future monitoring plans to other approaches and providers.

2026-04-29T14:53:06.240095-07:00

Canada cancels WildFireSat constellation contract with Spire Global

helicoptersmagazine.com

DART Aerospace wins new Transport Canada STC for Bell medium Fire Attack System Model 304 enhancements DART Aerospace has received a new Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) STC (SH26-18) covering enhancements to its Fire Attack System Model 304 for medium Bell helicopters. The approval applies to Bell 205, 212, 412, AB412 and UH-1H operators seeking updated fire-attack capability within an approved installation baseline.

2026-04-29T12:05:31.794005-07:00

DART Aerospace wins new Transport Canada STC for Bell medium Fire Attack System Model 304 enhancements

Vertical Mag

Firefighting helicopter missions hinge on a sustained MRO “maintenance battle” Aerial firefighting helicopters can’t perform without a parallel ground effort: maintenance teams managing airworthiness, component wear, and rapid turnaround pressures created by repeated sorties, harsh operating conditions, and mission-specific configurations.

2026-04-29T09:00:44.924110-07:00

Firefighting helicopter missions hinge on a sustained MRO “maintenance battle”

AerialFire

Tabula and Helitak form a real-time data-sharing partnership to integrate aerial firefighting systems Tabula and Helitak have partnered to “close the loop” on aerial firefighting operations, integrating their equipment and enabling real-time data sharing. The agreement is positioned as an end-to-end capability for aerial firefighting crews operating in international environments, improving how aircraft-related firefighting data flows across the mission.

2026-04-23T06:25:18.757502-07:00

Tabula and Helitak form a real-time data-sharing partnership to integrate aerial firefighting systems

Vertical Mag

Voxelis turns helicopters into real-time wildfire mapping data-gatherers with on-platform AI Voxelis says it is using AI to convert helicopters into real-time wildfire mapping assets, transforming onboard sensing and data processing into actionable situational awareness during active fire response. The approach targets faster, more continuous mapping updates than traditional post-event or ground-limited workflows.

2026-04-22T09:20:28.514103-07:00

Voxelis turns helicopters into real-time wildfire mapping data-gatherers with on-platform AI

ch-aviation

Amelia signs LOI to convert two ATR72s into water bombers as wildfire capability scales in France France’s Amelia has signed a letter of intent with Kepplair Evolution to add two ATR72 turboprops that will be converted for aerial firefighting. The LOI signals a near-term expansion of tanking capacity using a common ATR72 platform, building on the market’s shift toward converted, purpose-modular firefighting fleets.

2026-04-14T02:14:52.498542-07:00

Amelia signs LOI to convert two ATR72s into water bombers as wildfire capability scales in France

Vertical Mag

Controlled Firepower: Manned and Uncrewed Ignition Systems Transform Wildfire Management New manned and uncrewed aerial ignition systems are changing prescribed-burning and wildland fire suppression by allowing more precise, repeatable ignition patterns, expanding operational windows, and reducing firefighter exposure. Agencies are deploying drone-mounted ignition devices alongside helicopter systems to scale controlled burns with improved safety and targeting.

2026-04-08T06:11:34.244266-07:00

Controlled Firepower: Manned and Uncrewed Ignition Systems Transform Wildfire Management

Airbus

❗️

Airbus completes first integrated digital firefighting trial linking aircraft, helicopters, drones and ground crews Airbus completed a first-of-its-kind trial in southern France linking aircraft, helicopters, drones and ground crews via a shared communications and data-processing platform to coordinate forest-fire suppression. The experiment demonstrated high-precision water drops and materially shortened the detection-to-engagement cycle across multiple asset types.

2026-03-26T03:01:16.470902-07:00

Airbus completes first integrated digital firefighting trial linking aircraft, helicopters, drones and ground crews

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Aerial Firefighting News

DART Aerospace wins new Transport Canada STC for Bell medium Fire Attack System Model 304 enhancements

Canada cancels WildFireSat constellation contract with Spire Global

Firefighting helicopter missions hinge on a sustained MRO “maintenance battle”

Voxelis turns helicopters into real-time wildfire mapping data-gatherers with on-platform AI

News Timeline