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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

Airbus

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

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

Vertical Mag

Controlled Firepower: Manned and Uncrewed Ignition Systems Transform Wildfire Management

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

FlightGlobal

De Havilland begins major structural assembly of first DHC-515 water bomber

2026-03-10T16:20:24.820833-07:00

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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

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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

Vertical Mag

Helitak expands U.S. manufacturing to scale aerial firefighting systems Helitak is expanding U.S. manufacturing to raise production of aerial firefighting systems and meet rising global demand for firefighting capability. The expansion aims to increase supply to commercial and government operators worldwide and to support rapid scaling of firefighting fleets.

2026-03-20T11:58:15.744561-07:00

Helitak expands U.S. manufacturing to scale aerial firefighting systems

Vertical Mag

Vallfirest acquires Water Hog bucket system to push into global aerial firefighting market Vallfirest has acquired the Water Hog external bucket system, adding the firefighting tool to its product portfolio and aiming to expand in international aerial wildfire markets for firefighting operators and agencies worldwide. The move consolidates a key helicopter bucket product under Vallfirest's ownership, strengthening its aerial firefighting offerings.

2026-03-20T11:38:21.014795-07:00

Vallfirest acquires Water Hog bucket system to push into global aerial firefighting market

Vertical Mag

ATSB interim report: Bell 412 substantially damaged during water‑bucketing firefighting operation The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has published an interim report describing an incident in which a Bell 412 helicopter was substantially damaged while performing water‑bucketing during a firefighting operation. The report documents the sequence of events and forms part of an ongoing ATSB safety investigation.

2026-03-17T05:39:11.564907-07:00

ATSB interim report: Bell 412 substantially damaged during water‑bucketing firefighting operation

FlightGlobal

Helicopter Alliance forecasts demand for 20–40 refurbished UH‑60 Black Hawks in Europe by 2030 for firefighting Czech Republic-based Helicopter Alliance projects Europe will need 20–40 refurbished Sikorsky UH‑60 Black Hawks by 2030 to bolster civil firefighting and disaster‑relief capacity as wildfire risk rises. The forecast targets conversion of surplus military Black Hawks for wet/dry‑bucket and utility missions.

2026-03-13T05:39:24.719060-07:00

Helicopter Alliance forecasts demand for 20–40 refurbished UH‑60 Black Hawks in Europe by 2030 for firefighting

FlightGlobal

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De Havilland begins major structural assembly of first DHC-515 water bomber De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has joined the cockpit and hull sections of its first DHC-515 and completed wing‑box assembly at its Canadian production line, advancing the amphibious turboprop water bomber toward planned deliveries to European customers and Canada in 2028.

2026-03-10T16:20:24.820833-07:00

De Havilland begins major structural assembly of first DHC-515 water bomber

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Aerial Firefighting News

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

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

Controlled Firepower: Manned and Uncrewed Ignition Systems Transform Wildfire Management

De Havilland begins major structural assembly of first DHC-515 water bomber

News Timeline