Blackhawk Aerospace has signed a letter of intent to acquire controlling ownership of Oregon-based Recoil Aerospace, a designer and manufacturer of lightweight, carbon fibre composite wildland fire suppression tanks, aircraft aerostructures and ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel tanks for helicopters. This agreement allows Blackhawk to diversify into a growing marketplace while lending its vast manufacturing experience and capabilities to expand the market for Recoil's products.

“This is an exciting time for Recoil as we partner with Blackhawk to amplify our lightweight, cost-effective products around the world,” says Recoil managing director Joseph Rice. “We are looking forward to not only growing our market base, but also bringing a number of exciting in-development products to certification. Together, we will set the new standard in wildfire suppression, focused on safety and improving mission capabilities.”

Blackhawk develops, certifies and manufactures performance product enhancements for aircraft. It will grow and expand Recoil's safe, cost-effective solutions in the aerospace marketplace. Blackhawk brings decades of extensive experience in production design and certification, its government and defence division's government programme expertise and its composite division's capabilities to expand Recoil's product line in the rotorcraft marketplace.

“This exciting partnership will increase Blackhawk's diversification into a growing global market,” says chairman Matt Shieman. “The fire suppression market is growing, with global demand increasing for new technology to replace ageing products and solutions that are 15 to 20 years old. Recoil is an innovative company with fresh, unique capabilities and solutions. Our two companies will combine efforts to accelerate delivery of new technology into this high growing global market that needs new, diverse solutions immediately.”

Established in 2008, Recoil has evolved into a global leader in lightweight carbon fibre composite solutions. The Recoil Aerospace family of companies' experience, expertise and skill in developing strong, lightweight helicopter Tsunami wildfire suppression tanks, Zeus ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel tanks, and aerostructure modifications allows its customers to increase mission performance in austere, hostile environments, providing a distinct global advantage.

The agreement is expected to close Q3 2022.