Daher to Deliver Two Kodiaks for North American Forestry Work: Kodiak 100 for US Forest Service, Kodiak 900 for Montana DNRC
Why It MattersFitting digital communication systems to utility turboprops points to wildfire agencies buying aircraft configured for aerial coordination rather than only transport, extending Kodiak use in North American firefighting.
Daher is to deliver two new Kodiak aircraft for forest protection in North America. They add to Kodiaks already operated by Bridger Aerospace and to those in service with federal forestry services and with the states of Washington, Florida and North Carolina.
The first is a Kodiak 100 Series III for the US Forest Service, currently being prepared at Sandpoint, Idaho. The modification integrates the Canyon AeroConnect Digital Communication control system, which allows the crew to work together or separately with different contacts, notably during coordination and supervision missions for wildfire-fighting operations. The capability is essential when an Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), the operator responsible for coordinating air and ground resources during forest fires, is on board. The aircraft will also carry teams to remote terrain.
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will receive a Kodiak 900, which will likewise be used to transport field teams and to coordinate firefighting resources. It will therefore also be fitted with the Canyon AeroConnect Digital Communication control system.
