Rain and Sikorsky Test Autonomous Black Hawk Helicopter on Burning Brush | Aviation International News

Rain Tests Autonomous Black Hawk on Burning Brush

Two weeks of testing highlighted the value of quick-reaction fire suppression

Autonomous Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter tackles brush fires — © Sikorsky

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

May 15, 2025

Sikorsky and firetech developer Rain have demonstrated and tested the helicopter manufacturer’s Matrix autonomy system and Rain’s wildfire suppression planning software in a Black Hawk helicopter on a propane fire and burning brush piles. The testing took place in late April in Southern California and “familiarized firefighters with the potential of autonomy to help crewed and uncrewed firefighting helicopters find and suppress early-stage wildfires,” according to Sikorsky.

Supported in part by a research and development grant from power company PG&E, the testing, at 3,300 feet and with occasional wind gusts up to 30 knots, was the first time Rain and Sikorsky demonstrated the autonomous capability over live fires in wildfire-prone terrain. San Bernardino County Fire Protection District prepared the test fires, and witnesses included representatives from Cal Fire, San Bernardino County Fire District, Orange County Fire Authority, and the U.S. Forest Service.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Sikorsky S-70 Series

Sikorsky Aircraft

Aero Asset: Twin-engine Helicopter Sales Activity Up

Pricing on heavy twins reached a five-year high in the first half

Sikorsky S-92 in flight

Louisiana Rotor Pathway Advances Rotorcraft Careers

Program started with Utah and North Dakota

Airbus Helicopters H215 Super Puma helicopter

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Heli Everest H125 helicopter

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Bell 407M helicopter

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Airbus H160 in flight over sea