United Rotorcraft tasked to convert HH-60L for firefighting

United Rotorcraft has been contracted by Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), based in California, US, to convert two ex-US Army HH-60L helicopters into Firehawk firefighting helicopters.

Currently, both helicopters are fitted-out for medevac, so some of the equipment will be repurposed in the Firehawk configuration. The new interior fit will take place at United Rotorcraft’s Englewood, Colorado facility, while it will be given a new paint job at United Rotorcraft Decatur, Texas.

“Ventura County Fire Department, along with our partners from Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit, have worked hard over the past years to identify the right solution for expanding and modernising our aerial fleet,” said Battalion Chief Gary Monday of Ventura County Fire Department.

“We are looking forward to seeing the new Firehawk aircraft serving the fire crews and people of Ventura County and the State of California.”

The aircraft will be equipped with external landing gear, a 1,000-gallon firefighting tank and a retractable snorkel system. It will be used for a variety of missions, including firefighting, fire crew transport, search-and-rescue and medical evacuation.

“We are so proud to be part of the future Ventura firefighting mission as well as repurposing these Army surplus aircraft for their new homes,” said Bob Brodin, Director of Government Programs at United Rotorcraft. “The Firehawk aircraft have so many capabilities to help the people of Ventura County and we look forward to delivering these aircraft.”