Two more Black Hawks delivered for Aerotech’s firefighting fleet

Two Black Hawk helicopters will join Australia’s national aerial firefighting fleet this summer to combat natural disasters, operated by Adelaide-based aviation company Aerotech.

The Black Hawks will be able to relocate to any state and territory at short notice, depending on fire risk and incident location.

The Australian Government announced the two Aerotech Black Hawks were selected to form part of a multi-hazard capability, which could be deployed to keep all Australians safe in the face of increasingly severe and frequent natural disasters.

Aerotech CEO, Chris Boyd, said the new delivery would increase the company’s Black Hawk fleet to seven and its overall firefighting fleet to more than 40 aircraft.

“Black Hawk helicopters are fast, reliable, can be deployed quickly and drop more than 4,000 litres of water per load to contain fires quickly,” Mr Boyd said.

“These Black Hawks will be configured for firefighting operations, but they will also be available to assist with other emergencies such as floods and cyclones. Each helicopter will be set up, staffed and equipped to operate independently including pilots, engineer, fuel truck and sufficient parts to sustain it in the field.

“The majority of our fleet are based in South Australia over summer including Parafield Airport, Adelaide Hills, the Mid North, Mt Gambier and Port Lincoln, but we are seeing more and more our aircraft supporting firefighting operations across Australia and overseas.

“Three of our Black Hawk helicopters have just returned from supporting firefighting operations in Indonesia and six fire-bombing Air Tractors based in France, in addition to several aircraft in our fleet currently operating in Queensland and Northern Territory for their fire season.”