Market Trends of Firefighting Aircraft Industry
Rotorcraft Segment Will Showcase Remarkable Growth During the Forecast Period
The rotorcraft segment is anticipated to show significant growth in the market during the forecast period. A wide range of rotorcraft is used to support firefighting missions selected based on suitability and cost-effectiveness. Compared to fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters can carry less fire retardant or water, and they can also be used to transport firefighters and equipment. Helicopters are useful for fast initial attacks on smaller wildfires.
Several countries are converting helicopters into firefighters by integrating modern internal water tanks. For instance, in March 2023, United Rotorcraft, which outfits the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter platform as S-70 FIREHAWKS, started evaluating several options and upgrades to the firefighting and emergency rescue helicopter program. The improvements include a 1,000-gallon composite water tank that the company produces in collaboration with Dart. Furthermore, United Rotorcraft has delivered 17 FIREHAWKS: 12 newly built S-70is and five converted from legacy military HH/UH-60s since 2001. It estimates that the fleet has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of flight time thus far.
United Rotorcraft is expected to hand over seven more FIREHAWKS in the current year; its backlog shows five, with deliveries scheduled in 2025. Currently, all operators of the helicopter operate in California: Cal Fire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, San Diego County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County. This year, the Orange County Fire Authority will join that list with expected delivery. Meanwhile, the FIREHAWK will finally escape the state’s borders with the first delivery to the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control. San Diego Gas and Electric will also become the first private operator of a FIREHAWK when it receives the first type-certified S-70M.
Thus, technological developments in helicopter engines and tanks capable of carrying more water or retardant, equipment improvements, and technological advancements that can help firefighters operate at night are expected to support the segment's growth through new orders from various firefighting agencies worldwide.
North America is Projected to Show Highest Growth During the Forecast Period
North America is anticipated to show the highest growth in the firefighting market during the forecast period. Wildfires are prevalent in the United States and Canada. They may be triggered by natural causes such as lightning or human activity, such as unextinguished smoking materials, faulty electrical equipment, overheating automobiles, or arson. According to the US National Interagency Fire Center, around 66,255 wildfire incidents occurred in 2022. Similarly, Canada reported 3,623 incidents of wildfires that affected an area of 245,014 ha.
The wildfire control agencies in North America use several types of firefighting aircraft, such as Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), Large Airtankers (LATs), Very Large Airtankers (VLATs), Water Scoopers, and Smokejumpers. The US Forest Service contracted several different providers to offer aerial firefighting services from air tankers in 2020, including 10 Tanker, Coulson Aviation, Aero Air, Aero Flite Inc., and Neptune Aviation. Fixed-wing aircraft deployed by these companies include DC-10s, C-130s, MD-87, RJ-85, Nae-146, and B737. King Air 90 and 200s, OV-10s, and BE-90 and BE-200s can be used as lead plans and identifiers or command and control aircraft.
For instance, in September 2023, the De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited was awarded a contract for 22 new DHC-515 Firefighter planes by the Canadian government, which are set to be delivered by the end of 2027. Thus, the prevalence of wildfire occurrences and the need for firefighting aircraft are anticipated to drive the market's growth during the forecast period.
