Sikorsky and CAL FIRE Join Forces to Enhance Autonomous Aerial Firefighting

In a major advancement in wildfire management, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, in collaboration with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), has unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing the research, innovation, and operational capabilities of aviation resources.

This initiative seeks to enhance the response to the escalating threat of wildfires, mitigating the hazardous effects on communities, residents, infrastructure, natural resources, and the economy. The five-year partnership will concentrate on the development and integration of advanced technologies, improving the safety and effectiveness of CAL FIRE operations to establish a more efficient and effective all-hazard emergency response strategy. Autonomy-enabled aircraft will decrease pilot workload, enhance situational awareness, and provide first responders with the flexibility to execute complex missions in perilous and deteriorating conditions, both day and night.

“The CAL FIRE Aviation Program prioritises safety of air operations and ensures our flight crews have the proper training, equipment, and advanced technologies for maximum effectiveness on all-risk missions,” said Steve Robinson, Assistant Deputy Director, Aviation and Mobile Equipment, CAL FIRE. “CAL FIRE is excited to collaborate with Sikorsky and determine how their advanced technologies could benefit our Helicopter and Uncrewed Aerial System Programs.”

Through this collaboration, CAL FIRE and Sikorsky will have the opportunity to explore the development of an autonomous Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWK helicopter. This aircraft is a proven and versatile tool in aerial firefighting and has become a key component of CAL FIRE's wildfire response strategy. CAL FIRE currently operates a fleet of 16 FIREHAWK helicopters as its primary rotary-wing firefighting resource, including two aircraft recently delivered in the summer of 2025. The FIREHAWK's unique capabilities, such as flying at speeds up to 155 knots, operating in high winds, and navigating altitudes up to 10,000 feet, make it an invaluable asset in combating wildfires.

"The development of autonomous wildfire suppression capabilities will be a game-changer in our efforts to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and enhancing the safety and efficacy of operations, this collaboration has the potential to revolutionise the way we respond to wildfires, protecting citizens for generations to come.”

In April 2025, the company carried out exercises in Southern California, demonstrating how autonomy can assist both crewed and uncrewed firefighting helicopters in detecting and extinguishing early-stage wildfires. These initiatives, which involved Sikorsky's autonomous Black Hawk helicopter, introduced firefighters to the benefits of autonomous systems in aerial firefighting. Pilots from CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Orange County Fire Authority also had the opportunity to experience the optionally piloted aircraft at Sikorsky's facility in Stratford, Conn and offered feedback to customise these new capabilities for firefighting operations.

This partnership reinforces Sikorsky's enduring commitment to supporting California's firefighting initiatives, a relationship that dates back to the 1990s. During that period, leaders from the state's firefighting community engaged the company's expertise to develop a specialised aerial firefighting helicopter. This collaboration led to the creation of the FIREHAWK helicopter, which features a 1,000-gallon water tank, a retractable snorkel, twin turbine engines, and night vision capability. Specifically engineered to meet California's rigorous firefighting standards, the FIREHAWK has been effectively utilised by the state's firefighters for 25 years.

Sikorsky’s initiative is part of Lockheed Martin's broader focus on accelerating the development and integration of digital technology to support faster decision-making capabilities for wildfire management, known as 21st Century Firefighting. This includes a range of solutions, such as firefighting fixed-wing aircraft, including the C-130 Hercules, and firefighting intelligence, which leverages AI-enabled technology to provide near real-time intelligence to first responders. Lockheed Martin has also funded a two-year pilot program with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to demonstrate the effectiveness of these solutions.