Aerial Firefighting News

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Hiroshima receives world’s first firefighting-configured Airbus H160 ahead of 2026 entry

Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau has received the first Airbus H160 configured for aerial firefighting, becoming the world’s inaugural operator of the medium-twin in a firefighting role. The handover positions Hiroshima to start operations with the type ahead of a planned 2026 entry into service.

2025-10-27T02:29:00.757256-07:00

Vertical Mag

SKYTRAC secures exclusive, perpetual license to manufacture and support Honeywell Sky Connect LEO satcom for helicopters

2025-10-29T05:50:42.794714-07:00

Vertical Mag

Nagoya City Fire Bureau orders Airbus H160 for firefighting and SAR

2025-07-17T06:11:42.714603-07:00

Vertical Mag

Airbus pushes H225/H215 Super Puma into US firefighting market after civil certification

2025-10-16T07:11:28.781091-07:00

Aerial Firefighting News Timeline

Vertical Mag

EASA validates Recoil's Tsunami external wildfire‑suppression tank STC SR02584AK EASA has validated Recoil Aerospace’s Supplemental Type Certificate SR02584AK for the Tsunami external wildfire‑suppression tank, clearing the system for use on certified helicopters across Europe. The low‑profile carbon‑fiber tank mounts directly to the fuselage during installation and requires no landing‑gear modifications.

2025-11-06T10:08:18.879149-08:00

EASA validates Recoil's Tsunami external wildfire‑suppression tank STC SR02584AK

AerialFire

Colombia becomes first Latin American country to deploy OroraTech satellite wildfire‑monitoring program Colombia and its national disaster agency UNGRD have partnered with OroraTech to deploy a satellite‑based wildfire monitoring program, the first in Latin America, to strengthen the country's National Disaster Risk Management System with near‑real‑time thermal and perimeter detection to speed response.

2025-10-30T11:54:48.386001-07:00

Colombia becomes first Latin American country to deploy OroraTech satellite wildfire‑monitoring program

Lockheed Martin

Los Angeles County orders two Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWKs to modernize firefighting, rescue and EMS fleet The County of Los Angeles Fire Department has signed a contract with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, for two S-70i FIREHAWK helicopters. The aircraft will modernize the county’s rotary‑wing fleet and enhance round‑the‑clock wildfire suppression, rescue and EMS coverage across its roughly 4,000‑square‑mile jurisdiction.

2025-10-29T07:07:29.083097-07:00

Los Angeles County orders two Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWKs to modernize firefighting, rescue and EMS fleet

Vertical Mag

SKYTRAC secures exclusive, perpetual license to manufacture and support Honeywell Sky Connect LEO satcom for helicopters SKYTRAC has acquired an exclusive, perpetual license to manufacture, sell and support Honeywell’s Sky Connect avionics line, taking control of the LEO satcom terminals used on helicopters. The move preserves continuity of supply and enables autonomous tracking, two‑way messaging and telephony tailored to firefighting and emergency missions.

2025-10-29T05:50:42.794714-07:00

SKYTRAC secures exclusive, perpetual license to manufacture and support Honeywell Sky Connect LEO satcom for helicopters

Australian Aviation

NSW RFS 737 'Marie Bashir' makes first jet landing at Western Sydney International in emergency exercise N138CG 'Marie Bashir', a NSW RFS Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker, became the first jet to land at Western Sydney International shortly after 08:30 Wednesday after a short flight from RAAF Base Richmond. The visit formed part of a multi‑agency aerodrome emergency exercise ahead of the airport's 2026 opening.

2025-10-27T21:52:00.529875-07:00

NSW RFS 737 'Marie Bashir' makes first jet landing at Western Sydney International in emergency exercise

FlightGlobal

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Hiroshima receives world’s first firefighting-configured Airbus H160 ahead of 2026 entry Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau has received the first Airbus H160 configured for aerial firefighting, becoming the world’s inaugural operator of the medium-twin in a firefighting role. The handover positions Hiroshima to start operations with the type ahead of a planned 2026 entry into service.

2025-10-27T02:29:00.757256-07:00

Hiroshima receives world’s first firefighting-configured Airbus H160 ahead of 2026 entry

AerialFire

Inside Texas A&M Forest Service’s Aerial Firefighting Operation at Killeen Regional Airport When wildfires threaten Texas communities, Texas A&M Forest Service stages aerial firefighting missions from Killeen Regional Airport, deploying airtankers and support aircraft that operate at speeds up to 400 mph. The hub enables rapid turnarounds, refueling and coordination with ground crews and ATC to sustain statewide response.

2025-10-22T11:09:53.428580-07:00

Inside Texas A&M Forest Service’s Aerial Firefighting Operation at Killeen Regional Airport

Vertical Mag

San Diego approves $38M Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk with night firefighting; operational by fall 2026 San Diego County approved a $38 million purchase of a Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk equipped for night wildfire suppression and modern firefighting systems. The aircraft is expected operational by fall 2026, with Cal Fire supplying a reserve helicopter to cover the region until delivery.

2025-10-22T10:36:32.924781-07:00

San Diego approves $38M Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk with night firefighting; operational by fall 2026

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