Aerial Firefighting News

AeroTime • Ian Molyneaux

Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal

Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator Avincis has signed a new lease to add additional Super Scoopers for wildfire firefighting in Portugal. The move is intended to boost aerial waterbombing capacity during peak wildfire season and strengthen Avincis’ regional response capability.

1 Source

2026-07-23T07:37:17.748677-07:00

eVTOL Insights

Electra.Aero’s short-takeoff electric concept moves toward production as Airbus and MTU push hybrid-electric and fuel-cell power

6 Sources

2026-07-23T02:19:34.257084-07:00

Airbus

THC places firm order for eight more Airbus H145 light twins under 2024 Airbus framework (deliveries 2027–2028)

66 Sources

2026-07-20T01:08:01.010747-07:00

Bloomberg

Satellite tech boosts wildfire detection by increasing scanning frequency

2 Sources

2026-07-22T07:26:35.865193-07:00

Aerial Firefighting News Timeline

eVTOL Insights

1 source

MD Aircraft and ST Airborne Systems sign LOI to advance electric, sustainable airborne surveillance at FIA 2026 MD Aircraft GmbH and ST Airborne Systems AB have signed a Letter of Intent to “redefine” sustainable airborne surveillance operations, advancing electric airborne surveillance capabilities. The announcement was made in the context of FIA 2026, signaling a coordinated push toward lower-emissions surveillance at the platform level.

2026-07-23T23:37:05.956528-07:00

MD Aircraft and ST Airborne Systems sign LOI to advance electric, sustainable airborne surveillance at FIA 2026

AeroTime

1 source

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Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator Avincis has signed a new lease to add additional Super Scoopers for wildfire firefighting in Portugal. The move is intended to boost aerial waterbombing capacity during peak wildfire season and strengthen Avincis’ regional response capability.

2026-07-23T07:37:17.748677-07:00

Avincis leases extra Super Scoopers to expand wildfire response capacity in Portugal

eVTOL Insights

6 sources

Electra.Aero’s short-takeoff electric concept moves toward production as Airbus and MTU push hybrid-electric and fuel-cell power Electra.Aero says its nine-passenger Ultra Short uses eight electric motors and blown-lift technology for takeoff/landing in under 150 feet, progressing from prototype toward production. Separately, Airbus is advancing its LEIA hybrid-electric testing while MTU develops flying fuel-cell engine technology with Airbus and pursues EASA approval, and books ~$500M in Farnborough engine orders. In the West US, Fundamental Advisors acquired firefighting-and-utility operator BlueSky Helicopters.

2026-07-23T02:19:34.257084-07:00

Electra.Aero’s short-takeoff electric concept moves toward production as Airbus and MTU push hybrid-electric and fuel-cell power

Bloomberg

2 sources

Satellite tech boosts wildfire detection by increasing scanning frequency A new satellite sensing approach is set to detect wildfires earlier by increasing scanning frequency over fire-prone regions. The earlier alerts aim to give communities more time to respond, improving situational awareness and enabling faster coordination of suppression and evacuation actions.

2026-07-22T07:26:35.865193-07:00

Satellite tech boosts wildfire detection by increasing scanning frequency

Vertical Mag

3 sources

Moog secures FAA certification for 4-axis retrofit IFR autopilot for UH-60 Black Hawk Moog says it has received FAA approval for the GRC 4000 rotorcraft autopilot in a first retrofit configuration on the Black Hawk. The IFR-capable, 4-axis system is positioned to add advanced automation to UH-60 operations via certified avionics installation.

2026-07-20T09:40:27.848730-07:00

Moog secures FAA certification for 4-axis retrofit IFR autopilot for UH-60 Black Hawk

Airbus

66 sources

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THC places firm order for eight more Airbus H145 light twins under 2024 Airbus framework (deliveries 2027–2028) Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) has signed firm orders for eight additional Airbus H145 light-twin helicopters, with deliveries scheduled for 2027–2028. The order draws from a 2024 Airbus framework agreement covering up to 120 aircraft, extending THC’s rotorcraft fleet growth.

2026-07-20T01:08:01.010747-07:00

THC places firm order for eight more Airbus H145 light twins under 2024 Airbus framework (deliveries 2027–2028)

Ars Technica

None source

Google-backed satellites for wildfire detection launch as smoke chokes US, Canada

2026-07-17T12:59:09.185978-07:00

Google-backed satellites for w

FlightGlobal

7 sources

Airbus backs ATR 72 waterbomber conversion as Positive Aviation targets a 2029 alternative to the Canadair Airbus will begin assembling the first float for a Positive Aviation program to convert an ATR 72 into a firefighting waterbomber, aiming for an initial operational alternative to the Canadair by 2029. In parallel, Corsica Technics has signed an LoI for 10 Kepplair 72 conversion kits, while France has also contracted for two DHC Canadair 515 amphibious aircraft.

2026-07-17T06:43:56.547534-07:00

Airbus backs ATR 72 waterbomber conversion as Positive Aviation targets a 2029 alternative to the Canadair

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