Commitment to safety and outstanding patient care.
Always ready to respond when it matters most.
Our patient advocates are standing by.
Vita Inclinata Technologies, which stabilizes load-swing and spin with the touch of a button, and United Rotorcraft (a division of Air Methods), a provider of superior aerospace products and system integrations, including FIREHAWK® helicopter modifications and U.S. Military MEDEVAC helicopter cabin modifications, have announced a joint manufacturing capability partnership.
The partnership will focus on investigating in a joint manufacturing capability for Vita’s U.S. Army-tested Rescue System technology used by Vita’s military and civilian customers.
Over the last 20 years, United Rotorcraft has been the exclusive supplier of HH-60M and UH-60L Medevac interiors to the U.S. Army, with expertise across both military and commercial applications including: Patient Litter Lift Systems, modularity, crashworthy ambulatory patient/troop seats, oxygen generation systems, and more.
Vita’s Rescue System, which has been certified safe-to-fly by the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), provides platform- and litter-agnostic control to stabilize swing, oscillation and spin under any rotorcraft. Sensors and proprietary software compute 100 times per second to dynamically stop chaotic movement, while a wireless remote allows precision and control, providing operators the ability to steer around obstacles and align to the aircraft for recoveries.
“United Rotorcraft’s purpose is to help front line operators save lives. It is only fitting that we would join forces with Vita Inclinata, whose products will revolutionize the way our customers perform their mission,” commented Larry Alexandre, president of United Rotorcraft. “We are excited to be part of Vita’s journey as it grows into an industry leader.”
Read the full story here.
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced today the delivery of two HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters to Ventura County Air Unit.
Configured by United Rotorcraft this specially designed aircraft touts:
These HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters have been configured to allow fire crews to attack wildfires, transport up to ten fully equipped ground firefighters to the fire line, and have the ability to rescue those in need.
Ventura county has continued to perfect the tactics needed to suffocate wildfires in their early stage when a fire is most vulnerable, while simultaneously working in close coordination with firefighting crews on the ground.
“Wildfire season continues to grow in duration and intensity across Western states, and the FIREHAWK® helicopter has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Larry Alexandre, president of United Rotorcraft. “This aircraft brings unmatched multi-mission capability to Ventura County’s fire fighters in their effort to protect lives and property.”
The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or externally. United Rotorcraft integrated and installed newly upgraded tactical, communication, and navigation systems to specifications based on input from Ventura County Air Unit.
Ventura County Fire Department Division Chief, Gary Monday, concluded, “The addition of our newly modified HH-60L helicopters into the Firehawk community will provide an excellent service to the citizens of Ventura County. The modifications that United Rotorcraft performed were done professionally, and with excellent craftsmanship. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of the work performed by the United Rotorcraft team.”
(ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, May 25, 2021) – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation announced today the delivery of two HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters to Ventura County Air Unit.
Configured by United Rotorcraft with a 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft; an extended landing gear to accommodate the tank; a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in less than one minute; a fully glass cockpit; a custom avionics package; and a rescue hoist, these HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters will allow fire crews to attack wildfires, transport up to ten fully equipped ground firefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.
Ventura County Air Unit has been in operation since 1971 and currently operates four different Bell UH-1 Hueys; one each of the HH-1H, UH-1H, Bell 205B, Bell 212, and one Bell 206 Long Ranger, in addition to their two new HH-60L FIREHAWK® helicopters. The County has continued to perfect the tactics needed to suffocate wildfires in their early stage when a fire is most vulnerable, while simultaneously working in close coordination with firefighting crews on the ground. Ventura County’s HH-60L FIREHAWK® aircraft are more powerful and faster than all of their current aircraft, allowing them to carry approximately three times the amount of water, while traveling at speeds of up to 130 knots. This means the crews arrive on scene sooner, with significantly more firefighting power, preventing destruction better than ever before.
“With wildfire season continuing to grow in duration and intensity across Western States, the FIREHAWK® helicopter has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Larry Alexandre, president of United Rotorcraft. “This aircraft brings unmatched multi-mission capability to Ventura County’s fire fighters in their effort to protect lives and property.”
United Rotorcraft has completely revolutionized the HH-60L aircraft by converting the twin-engine aircraft to its aerial firefighting configuration. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or as an external load. United Rotorcraft integrated and installed newly upgraded tactical, communication, and navigation systems to specifications based on input from Ventura County Air Unit.
Along with its signature firefighting tank, United Rotorcraft has also installed a 600 lb. external rescue hoist, a 9,000 lb. cargo hook with a load cell system, forward recognition lights, and a high intensity searchlight onto each aircraft. The HH-60L’s outdated analogue gauge cockpit was replaced by a fully integrated, glass avionics suite to reduce pilot workload and increase mission effectiveness while operating in high-stakes environments. These new systems also give the crews the capability to track exactly when, where, and how much water was taken onboard, so they can replace the water after the mission is complete.
“We thank Ventura County Air Unit for their trust in United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving, firefighting helicopter to the urban centers and forests of California,” said Brit McDermett, vice president of sales and marketing at United Rotorcraft. “Their firefighters now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can attack fires at night, maneuver with agility and safety in canyons and terrain in every imaginable condition, while dropping water with tremendous precision and force.”
Ventura County Fire Department Division Chief, Gary Monday, concluded, “The addition of our newly modified HH-60L helicopters into the Firehawk community will provide an excellent service to the citizens of Ventura County. The modifications that United Rotorcraft performed were done professionally, and with excellent craftsmanship. The high landing gear that enables a 1000-gallon fixed tank is invaluable to our wildfire fighting mission. The instrument panel is state of the art, with dual Garmin 750s and Garmin EFI. The newly incorporated radios are complemented by Technisonic TDFM 9600 all band radio. The aircraft’s capabilities also include a moving map and FLIR. The TrakkaBeam searchlight is externally mounted under the nose of the aircraft and will be of great value to us. To allow us Search and Rescue capabilities, there is a BF Goodrich rescue hoist that has the capability to provide rescue up to 300 feet below the aircraft. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of the work performed by the United Rotorcraft team.”
About United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front line workers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.
Media Contact: For more information on the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, please contact *protected email* or Ramy Nasralla at *protected email*.
In California, more than 16,750 firefighters are battling the 29 major wildfires that have burned a total of 3.3 million acres across the state. The record-breaking temperatures and lack of rain have exacerbated these conditions and are not expected to improve any time soon.
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, have delivered five new S-70i™ FIREHAWK® helicopters to California fire agencies: two in Los Angeles County and three that Cal Fire is using at their bases in Northern California. The multi-mission S-70i brings improved engine power, greater maneuverability and lift at high altitudes, reduced pilot workload, and a newly designed 1,000-gallon (3,785-liter) external water tank.
Greater lift, power and safety: The S-70i aircraft’s more powerful GE-701D engines, wide chord composite blades, four-axis fully coupled flight controls, helicopter terrain awareness warning system, and integrated digital cockpit give the new FIREHAWK® helicopter increased maneuver capability and safety margins, improved performance and enhanced vertical rate of climb following water drops. Other improvements include increased airframe and seat crashworthiness, and an integrated health and usage monitoring system.
Multi-faceted fire attack: The S-70i can carry 12-14 firefighters in the cabin, and be immediately available to siphon and drop water in different configurations, perform a hoist rescue or provide medical transport. A new control mode enables the pilot to quickly open/close the tank doors to extend a water drop along a fire line.
Multi-function cyclic: Depending on the mission, the pilot can use the same finger controls to operate the water tank, the rescue hoist, the cargo hook, and long line operations with water bucket.
New tank features: The Kawak Aviation Technologies water tank is rated for aggressive flight characteristics, such as 4 g turns with a full load of water. Other improvements include an auto water snorkel reel system, a refill pump that siphons 1,000 gallons in 45 seconds (vs. 60) while hovering, a cockpit display showing tank fill status and diagnostic feedback, and an internal tank spray wash to prevent cross contamination of invasive species between water sources.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to put out these fires across the West Coast and Air Methods remains steadfast in their commitment to doing everything they can to support them during this tragedy.
Check out the Cal Fire Instagram to see photos of firefighters in action and to learn more about how you can help.
(ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, December 9, 2019) – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced today deliveries of three new S-70i™ FIREHAWK® helicopters to California fire agencies: one each to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), and the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Configured by United Rotorcraft with a newly designed 1,000-gallon water tank attached to the belly of the aircraft; an extended landing gear to accommodate the tank; a retractable snorkel than can refill the tank in less than one minute; and a rescue hoist, the FIREHAWK helicopters will allow fire crews to attack wildfires, transport up to 12 ground firefighters to the fire line, and rescue firefighters and civilians when in need.
CAL FIRE’s newly acquired S-70i FIREHAWK helicopter is the first of nine aircraft currently on order, with an option for three more. CAL FIRE and San Diego are both first-time operators of the aerial firefighting helicopter.
LACoFD has operated three older S-70A model FIREHAWKs® since 2001. During the ensuing 19 years, the county has pioneered and perfected the tactics needed to suffocate wildfires in their early stage when a fire is most vulnerable, and while working in close coordination with other aircraft and firefighting crews on the ground. The county’s new S-70i FIREHAWK® aircraft is the first of two — more powerful and faster than the older S-70A model — that LACoFD is adding to its fleet.
“With the increase in wildfire danger, the FIREHAWK® helicopter has never been more relevant to the State of California,” said Mike Slattery, president of United Rotorcraft. “This capability brings unmatched multi-mission capability to these firefighting agencies to protect lives and property.”
United Rotorcraft contracted with Kawak Aviation Technologies (Bend, Oregon) to design and manufacture the water tank to new specifications based on input from LACoFD. Among other equipment on each aircraft are a 600 lb. external rescue hoist, a 9,000 lb. cargo hook with load cell system, forward recognition lights and a high intensity searchlight. Avionics installations include tactical communications and navigation systems.
“We thank CAL FIRE, the County of Los Angeles and the City of San Diego for their trust in the combined efforts of Sikorsky and United Rotorcraft to bring a life-saving aerial firefighting helicopter to the urban centers and forests of California,” said Jason Lambert, vice president of Sikorsky Global Military & Mission Systems. “Their fire fighters now have a powerful and proven helicopter that can attack fires at night, in strong Santa Ana winds, maneuver with agility and safety in canyons and terrain from sea level up to 10,000 ft altitude, while dropping water with tremendous precision and force.”
A FIREHAWK® begins life at Stratford-Connecticut-based Sikorsky as an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter. United Rotorcraft then converts the twin-engine aircraft to its aerial firefighting configuration. The aircraft retains its multi-mission capability, allowing aircrew to perform search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, and carry cargo either internally or as an external load.
###
Media Contacts: Meg GiovanniniUnited Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division303-749-1353*protected email*www.unitedrotorcraft.com
Frans JurgensSikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company203-615-8293*protected email*www.lockheedmartin.com/firehawk
(ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, August 24, 2018) – United Rotorcraft is pleased to announce the receipt of a contract with Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) to convert two surplus U.S. Army aircraft into FIREHAWK® helicopters.
VCFD purchased two U.S. Army HH-60L aircraft, originally configured as dedicated MEDEVAC helicopters. These aircraft were outfitted with the United Rotorcraft medical equipment and patient litter systems, some of which will be repurposed in the new FIREHAWK® configurations. Following a full maintenance inspection, the aircraft will be painted at the United Rotorcraft Decatur, Texas facility and modified at in Englewood, Colorado.
“Ventura County Fire Department, along with our partners from Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit, has worked hard over the past years to identify the right solution for expanding and modernizing 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 reconfigured aircraft will include an aerial firefighting mission package with extended landing gear, a 1,000 gallon firefighting tank, and a retractable snorkel system. A multi-mission interior including reconfigurable crew stations will be installed to allow the aircraft to perform a variety of missions including firefighting, fire crew transport, search and rescue and medical evacuation. In addition to mission equipment, upgraded avionics and a new instrument panel will be installed in the cockpit.
“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 the delivery of these aircraft.”
For more information on the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, please contact *protected email*.