_____________________________________________________________________________________________ United Rotorcraft
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Having started out in 1995 as the Air Methods Product Division( AMPD), United Rotorcraft initially served as the engineering, design, and completion center for Air Methods, and later became a primary supplier of MEDEVAC equipment for the US Army and National Guard. The company entered the aerial firefighting sector with the introduction of the FIREHAWK helicopter in 2001, and it rebranded to United Rotorcraft in 2011, expanding its services to include maintenance, repair, and overhaul( MRO).
Since 2011, United Rotorcraft has grown to become the exclusive supplier of FIREHAWK helicopters with more than 25 in operation across the US and its first international delivery under contract. Today, as the business celebrates its 30th anniversary, it remains a leader in the rotorcraft industry, offering fully integrated and vertically aligned solutions.
Manufacturing Today sits down with Jeanette Eaton, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, to learn more about the company’ s product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities.“ United Rotorcraft is the exclusive global provider of the FIREHAWK aerial firefighting helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 / H-60 Black Hawk helicopter,” Jeanette opens.“ Our proprietary airframe lift kit enables the installation of a 1000-gallon external tank that can be refilled in under 60 seconds. This configuration powers the FIREHAWK platform and is widely recognized as a transformative asset in modern aerial firefighting operations.“ The system’ s digital interfaces allow the pilot to precisely control water drops and multifunction displays provide real-time visibility of system conditions. Night conditions typically make firefighting easier, and the integration of night vision goggles and compatible systems now allow operators to combat fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our FIREHAWK fleet currently stands at 26 aircraft on active duty, all of which are operated in the US by government agencies such as CalFire,
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