posted August 18, 2021

Following one of the worst fire seasons in our home state of Colorado’s history, on Monday, August 16, we announced that the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) signed a contract with United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, to complete and deliver a Sikorsky S70i FIREHAWK® helicopter.

We are proud that United Rotorcraft is the exclusive completion center for the FIREHAWK® helicopter.  Firefighting and life-saving missions hold a special place at the heart of the United Rotorcraft community.  We realize it is critical to increase the state’s capacity to respond to wildfire incidents and we appreciate the trust that the people of Colorado have put in us, and plan to deliver a product unlike any other.

Configured by United Rotorcraft with a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft, extended landing gear to accommodate the tank, a retractable snorkel that can refill the tank in less than one minute, and a rescue hoist, S70i FIREHAWK® helicopters are designed to stop fires in their tracks before they have the chance to grow.  These helicopters will allow fire crews to aggressively attack and suppress wildfires, transport up to twelve fully equipped ground firefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.

From rockslide and avalanche prevention to wildlife counts and livestock preservation, this helicopter’s multi-mission capabilities will be used across Colorado performing a wide array of missions.

The aircraft is projected to be delivered to Centennial, Colorado, and United Rotorcraft in early 2022, at which point it will begin its transformation into an elite multi-mission, firefighting machine that will serve the residents of Colorado for many years into the future.  DFPC anticipates the State will take delivery of the FIREHAWK® Helicopter sometime in the later part of 2022. Learn more here.