Bridger Aerospace, one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the US, has been notified by the State of Montana that it is the successful bidder for an exclusive-use contract to provide wildfire detection and mapping using a specially modified Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft.

The agreement includes an initial one-year term, with two optional extension years pending continued state funding. The contract provides for a minimum of 120 days of availability for a minimum annual value of $648,000 with additional days and flight hours incremental to the minimum annual value.

“With this award, nearly all of Bridger's air attack and sensor-equipped fleet is either committed or currently operational for the 2025 fire season,” states Sam Davis, chief executive officer at Bridger Aerospace. “This opportunity, which expands our portfolio of exclusive-use contracts, is particularly significant as it enables us to support critical firefighting operations in our home state. With our specialised in-house aircraft modification capabilities, we're uniquely positioned to rapidly deliver advanced aerial intelligence and mapping solutions, directly supporting the safety and effectiveness of wildfire response teams throughout Montana.”

This modification integrates an advanced sensor system and operator workstation into the Kodiak and is being executed by the combined Bridger and FMS Aerospace team. This marks the first-ever joint effort contract award for Bridger's in-house design, engineering and Part 145 modification capabilities since the acquisition of FMS in 2024. It will enable rapid identification of wildfire hotspots across the state, precise fire perimeter mapping and delivery of near-real-time infrared imagery directly to firefighting crews.