Bridger Aerospace to be launch customer for Positive Aviation FF72 water scooper
US aerial firefighting firm Bridger Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French engineering company Positive Aviation
The agreement – which remains subject to negotiation – names Bridger as the exclusive North American launch customer for Positive Aviation’s FF72 amphibious, fixed-wing water scooper.
The FF72 is derived from the ATR 72-600 twin turboprop short-haul airliner.
Under the terms of the MoU, Bridger will be offered the chance to acquire a fleet of 10 FF72 aircraft, with an option to purchase 10 more units at a later date, with deliveries potentially beginning in time for the 2029 fire year.
Bridger will also serve as the exclusive North American hub for sales, marketing, in-service support, modifications, certification, and flight crew and mechanics training for the FF72.
“With the increasing global demand for year-round aerial firefighting resources and the current shortage of available assets, the FF72 will be a valuable addition to our scooper fleet,” said Sam Davis, CEO of Bridger Aerospace. “We look forward to working together to introduce these assets and support the wildfire-fighting community in addressing the ongoing, and increasingly year-round, challenge of wildfires.”
Fellow French aerospace firm Hynaero recently signed a strategic partnership with Airbus to support the development of its own amphibious waterbomber, the Fregate-F100.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.