Bridger Aerospace to supply three King Air 360s to Texas A&M Forest Service
The fixed-wing aircraft will be used to fight wildfires across the US state of Texas, and will be delivered over the next three years
US-based aerial firefighting firm Bridger Aerospace has been awarded a US$58 million contract by Texas A&M Forest Service to acquire, modify, and deliver three King Air 360 fixed-wing aircraft to support its aerial firefighting operations.
The aircraft will be delivered over the course of the next three years, and modified by a local firm in Texas.
Bridger will work directly with aircraft manufacturer Textron Aviation to expedite the delivery schedule for the three aircraft.
The multi-mission aircraft will be configured to support wildland fire detection and situational awareness, emergency operations, cargo transportation and medical evacuation (Medevac) missions.
The new aircraft will be used by Texas A&M to respond to the growing severity and duration of wildfires in the US state, and safeguard its population.
In 2024 alone, Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments responded to 5,187 wildfires, which burned around 1,300,579 acres across the state.
Texas A&M Forest Service also recently placed an order for two Subaru Bell 412EPXs.
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.