Sikorsky and CAL FIRE Ignite Innovation in Aerial Firefighting Automation
In a groundbreaking advancement in the battle against wildfires, Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), has unveiled a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing research, innovation, and operational effectiveness of aviation resources.
This initiative is designed to bolster the response to the increasing threat posed by wildfires, significantly mitigating their hazardous effects on communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and the economy. Over the next five years, this partnership will aim to develop and integrate state-of-the-art technologies and improve the safety and efficiency of CAL FIRE operations, creating a streamlined approach to all-hazard emergency response. With autonomy-enabled aircraft, the workload for pilots will be lessened, situational awareness will be heightened, and first responders will gain the flexibility to execute complex missions in perilous conditions, no matter the time of day.
“The CAL FIRE Aviation Program is committed to the safety of air operations, ensuring our flight crews are equipped with advanced technologies and proper training for optimal effectiveness in all-risk missions,” stated Steve Robinson, Assistant Deputy Director, Aviation and Mobile Equipment, CAL FIRE. “We are thrilled to partner with Sikorsky to explore how their advanced technologies can enhance our Helicopter and Uncrewed Aerial System Programs.”
This exciting partnership enables CAL FIRE and Sikorsky to explore the potential of creating an autonomous Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWK helicopter, a reliable aerial firefighting asset that has become integral to CAL FIRE’s wildfire management efforts. Currently, CAL FIRE operates a fleet of 16 FIREHAWK helicopters, which serve as its primary rotary-wing combating tool, including two new additions delivered in the summer of 2025. The aircraft’s exceptional capabilities, including flight speeds of up to 155 knots, operation in high winds, and navigation at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet, make it invaluable in the fight against wildfires.
“The development of autonomous wildfire suppression technologies will transform our approach to safeguarding communities from the escalating threat of wildfires,” remarked Rich Benton, Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager. “Harnessing these cutting-edge technologies and enhancing operational safety can fundamentally change our wildfire response strategies, ensuring the protection of our citizens now and for future generations.”
In April 2025, Sikorsky executed exercises in Southern California, demonstrating how autonomy could aid crewed and uncrewed helicopters in locating and combating early-stage wildfires. These demonstrations employed Sikorsky’s autonomous Black Hawk helicopter, allowing firefighters to experience the capabilities of autonomous systems in aerial firefighting. CAL FIRE pilots alongside teams from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Orange County Fire Authority were also able to test the optionally piloted aircraft at Sikorsky’s facility in Stratford, Connecticut, providing insights to refine these advancements for firefighting efforts.
This partnership underscores Sikorsky’s long-standing support of California’s firefighting initiatives, which started in the 1990s when California’s firefighting leaders sought to develop a specialized aerial firefighting helicopter. The resulting FIREHAWK helicopter, featuring a 1,000-gallon water tank, retractable snorkel, twin turbine engines, and night vision capabilities, was tailor-made to meet California’s stringent firefighting demands and has proven its effectiveness over 25 years.
Sikorsky’s initiative aligns with Lockheed Martin’s broader commitment to fast-track the development and integration of digital technologies to enhance decision-making in wildfire management, encapsulated in their 21st Century Firefighting strategy. This encompasses an array of solutions, including firefighting fixed-wing aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, and intelligence systems that apply AI technology to deliver near real-time data to first responders. Lockheed Martin is also sponsoring a two-year pilot program with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to highlight the efficacy of these innovative solutions.
