Board Approves Purchase Of Two Aircraft Through United Rotorcraft

The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted in March 2025 to approve the purchase of two Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. Army’s surplus program that will be transformed into Firehawk firefighting helicopters. The county’s fire department is asking the board to approve an agreement with Seaview Helicopters to provide training to four pilots who will fly the Firehawks.

The cost of pilot training is expected to be $288,350 and includes ground training, the necessary flight hours in the helicopters, and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner for the required oral exams and check rides at the completion of training.

If it is approved, the pilot training will commence immediately with Seaview Helicopters and run through June 30, 2026, according to the meeting agenda. The Kern County Supervisors were being recommended to approve the agreement with Seaview at its board meeting which was due to be held on December 9.

The agenda stated that Seaview is the only vendor able to bring a UH-60 helicopter and a DPE to the facilities of Kern County Fire Department.

The Black Hawks will be converted into Firehawks by United Rotorcraft, who will install their own exclusive, enhanced landing gear, a 1,000-gallon belly tank for precise water drops, as well as advanced avionics. The converted aircraft are anticipated to improve the department’s firefighting capabilities by as much as 400% for each helicopter, according to the department.

The conversions are underway and the helicopters are expected to enter service with the fire department in 2026.

FMI:  kerncountyfire.org/ , www.unitedrotorcraft.com/