Black Hawk helicopters are expected to revolutionize bushfire fighting in South Australia this summer, significantly enhancing the country’s aerial firefighting capability while also increasing community and firefighter safety.
South Australian firm Aerotech has two Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawks on standby for deployment across the state.
The Marshall Liberal Government’s $10.2 million for aerial firefighting in the 2021/22 State Budget has bolstered South Australia’s bushfire defense, according to Emergency Services Minister Vincent. Who referred to the Black Hawks as revolutionary firefighting assets.
Black Hawks can deploy in as little as five minutes, a faster response time than other Type 1 firefighting helicopters.
Having a top speed of 360km/h (220mph) they can refill their 4,000 liter (1056 gal) tank with water or retardant in about 35 seconds.
The Black Hawks are “the next generation” of aerial firebombers, according to the CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones.
The CFS has utilized helicopters as firebombers since 2006 and it is expected that the flexibility and rapid response of the Black Hawks will serve to bolster the capabilities of their other 25 aircraft across South Australia.
CFS aircraft play a key role in helping to slow the speed of fires so ground personnel can safely get in and extinguish them.
Adelaide Hills will serve as the home base of the Black Hawks for their 84-day, multi-year contract with CFS. Basing the fleet locally, and providing year-round availability Aerotech is also creating jobs for South Australian pilots, engineers, ground crew, and support staff.
Following a $4 million boost by the Morrison Government in September, a Large Air Tanker (LAT) will be stationed in Australia on standby for aerial assaults on bushfires across the country throughout the year.
The National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) has received increased annual funding from the Australian Government bringing their budget to total more than $30 million, ensuring that during catastrophic fires, there are additional resources available to assist and protect firefighters on the ground.
