Business Aviation
Bridger Aerospace Expands Fleet with Six New Firefighting Aircraft for 2026
Bridger Aerospace buys two Super Scoopers and four Air Attack planes to boost firefighting capacity for the 2026 wildfire season and secure federal contracts.
Bridger Aerospace Acquires Six Aircraft to Bolster 2026 Firefighting Operations
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER), a prominent provider of aerial firefighting services, has officially completed the acquisition of six additional Aircraft to expand its operational fleet. According to a company press release issued on December 30, 2025, the transaction includes two Canadair CL-215T Amphibious Aircraft, commonly known as “Super Scoopers”, and four Air Attack aircraft. This strategic move is designed to position the company for expanded federal contract awards ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.
The acquisition marks a significant consolidation of assets for the Belgrade, Montana-based company. By purchasing these aircraft, which were previously held by a joint venture or leased, Bridger Aerospace aims to secure long-term stability and enhance its capacity to respond to increasingly severe wildfire seasons. The company stated that the purchase of the two Super Scoopers was valued at $50 million, funded through a Senior Secured Term Loan Facility that closed earlier in October 2025.
Transaction Details and Fleet Expansion
The newly acquired assets were purchased from MAB Funding, LLC, a joint venture partnership involving Bridger Aerospace, Marathon Asset Management LP, and Eyre Street Capital. The transaction officially closed on December 30, 2025.
Super Scooper Acquisition
The centerpiece of this deal involves two Canadair CL-215T Amphibious Aircraft. These specialized water bombers are capable of scooping water from lakes or oceans without returning to base, a critical capability for sustained fire suppression. With this purchase, Bridger Aerospace increases its owned fleet of Super Scoopers from six to eight, reinforcing its status as the largest private operator of such aircraft globally.
According to the company, the $50 million purchase price for these two aircraft was financed via its $210 million credit facility. These specific airframes are often referred to as “Spanish Super Scoopers” because they were originally acquired from the Spanish government before being retrofitted and maintained by Bridger.
Air Attack Fleet Growth
In addition to the heavy tankers, Bridger acquired four Air Attack aircraft. These planes, typically Pilatus PC-12 or Daher Kodiak 100 models, serve as the “quarterbacks” of the sky. They do not drop water but are essential for coordinating aerial traffic and guiding heavy tankers to their targets.
The press release notes that two of these four aircraft were previously leased by Bridger and were already on Contracts during the 2025 season. Bringing them onto the company’s balance sheet is intended to reduce leasing costs and secure the assets for long-term use. The Air Attack fleet now stands at 11 aircraft dedicated to surveillance and tactical coordination.
Strategic Focus: The 2026 Wildfire Season
Bridger Aerospace explicitly linked this acquisition to its Strategy for the upcoming 2026 fire season. By owning these assets outright, the company is better positioned to bid for “Exclusive Use” (EU) contracts with the United States Forest Service (USFS). Unlike “Call-When-Needed” contracts, which operate on an on-demand basis, EU contracts provide guaranteed revenue for a set period, offering greater financial predictability.
In the press release, Bridger Aerospace CEO Sam Davis emphasized the operational importance of the deal:
“The addition of these aircraft positions Bridger to better fulfill our mission to protect lives, property, and the environment in 2026… We are confident in the potential for these aircraft to generate additional revenue and cash flow growth.”
Technical Capabilities
The Canadair CL-215T models acquired in this transaction are turbine-powered upgrades of the original piston-engine CL-215. According to technical specifications referenced in industry reports, these aircraft can scoop approximately 1,412 gallons (5,345 liters) of water in just 12 seconds. The turbine engines provide improved safety and performance in mountainous terrain compared to older piston variants.
AirPro News Analysis
This acquisition represents a shift in Bridger Aerospace’s financial structure, moving from an “asset-light” leasing model for certain airframes to an “asset-heavy” ownership model. While this increases the company’s debt load, specifically utilizing the $210 million term loan, it eliminates lease payments and grants Bridger full control over the assets.
Control is the key variable here. Federal agencies like the USFS often prioritize contractors who can guarantee asset availability. By owning the “Spanish Super Scoopers” outright, Bridger removes the risk of lease expirations or partner disputes, making them a more reliable partner for multi-year government contracts. Investors will likely be watching the next earnings call to see if this capital expenditure translates directly into the coveted Exclusive Use task orders for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a “Super Scooper”?
- A Super Scooper is an amphibious aircraft designed specifically for aerial firefighting. It can skim the surface of a body of water to refill its tanks in seconds, allowing it to make repeated drops on a fire without returning to an airport to reload.
- How was the purchase funded?
- The $50 million for the two Super Scoopers was funded through Bridger’s $210 million Senior Secured Term Loan Facility. The four Air Attack aircraft were purchased using cash on hand and an initial draw on the same credit facility.
- Does Bridger Aerospace operate outside the US?
- While the company is based in Montana and focuses heavily on US federal contracts, the mobility of its fleet allows it to respond to wildfires across North-America and potentially internationally, depending on contract arrangements.
Sources
Photo Credit: Bridger Aerospace
Business Aviation
Gulfstream G500 and G600 Fleet Reaches 400th Delivery
Gulfstream delivers its 400th combined G500 and G600 aircraft to an Asia-Pacific customer, marking 519,000+ fleet flight hours.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has handed over the 400th aircraft from its combined G500 and G600 fleet to a customer in the Asia-Pacific region, a milestone that highlights ongoing global demand for the manufacturer’s large-cabin business jets. The aircraft was outfitted at Gulfstream’s facility in St. Louis, Missouri, prior to delivery.
In a press release issued on July 20, 2026, the Savannah, Georgia-based company confirmed the delivery and detailed the operational maturity of the two aircraft types. The milestone arrives 20 months after Gulfstream announced the 300th delivery of the G500 and G600 in November 2024.
Operational maturity and speed records
Since entering service, the combined G500 and G600 fleet has accumulated more than 519,000 flight hours and surpassed 200,000 total landings. The aircraft feature the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and the Gulfstream Cabin Experience, which the company credits with driving continued customer interest.
The G500 and G600 program has established a significant track record for speed, achieving over 190 city-pair speed records. Gulfstream aircraft hold 815 city-pair speed records overall. Both the G500 and G600 have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925.
The manufacturer highlighted a recent record-setting flight by a G600 to illustrate the fleet’s capabilities. The aircraft flew from Sapporo, Japan, to Savannah, Georgia, covering a distance of 5,835 nautical miles (10,806 kilometers). The flight was completed in 11 hours and 38 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.88.
“Reaching 400 deliveries is a testament to the confidence customers around the world continue to place in Gulfstream and in the G500 and G600,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. “Together, these aircraft have fueled sustained demand for our next-generation fleet and play a pivotal role in Gulfstream’s vision to offer an aircraft for every mission.”
Regulatory approvals expand operational scope
The 400th delivery follows a series of regulatory developments for the G500 and G600 earlier in 2026. On January 12, 202
Photo Credit: Gulfstream
Business Aviation
Pilatus PC-24 Adds Gogo Galileo LEO Broadband Connectivity
Pilatus Aircraft offers Gogo Galileo LEO internet on the PC-24 with FAA and EASA certification for new builds and retrofits.
Pilatus Aircraft has introduced Gogo Galileo high-speed internet as a factory-installed option for the Pilatus PC-24, bringing low-latency broadband connectivity to the light jet platform.
In a press release issued on July 1, 2026, the manufacturers confirmed the integration utilizes the Eutelsat OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network to provide global coverage capable of supporting video conferencing, media streaming, and cloud-based services. The system has received certification from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), making it available for new production aircraft as well as retrofits for the in-service fleet.
Lufthansa Technik entertainment integration and cabin upgrades
Alongside the connectivity upgrade, Pilatus detailed a new integrated cabin management and entertainment system developed in partnership with Lufthansa Technik. The system features a 10-inch touchscreen display that allows passengers to control cabin functions and access media directly from their seats.
The audio experience has also been upgraded as part of the new package. The configuration includes four cabin loudspeakers paired with a subwoofer. To maximize cabin comfort and flexibility, Pilatus introduced a side-facing divan option measuring nearly 2 meters in length, expanding the seating and resting configurations available to PC-24 operators.
Expanding LEO connectivity across the Pilatus fleet
The PC-24 announcement follows recent connectivity advancements for the manufacturer’s turboprop line. On June 16, 2026, SD Government and Pro Star Aviation secured an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the Gogo Galileo HDX system on the Pilatus PC-12.
This earlier approval marked the first LEO satellite connectivity option for the single-engine PC-12. The sequential rollout indicates a broader push to equip the Pilatus product line with modern, high-speed satellite internet capabilities regardless of aircraft class.
AirPro News analysis
We view the integration of LEO satellite networks like Eutelsat OneWeb into light jets and turboprops as a critical shift in business aviation expectations. Historically, high-speed, low-latency internet was restricted to midsize and large-cabin business jets due to the size, weight, and power requirements of traditional geostationary satellite antennas. The smaller form factor of Gogo Galileo hardware allows manufacturers like Pilatus to offer heavy-jet connectivity standards on platforms like the PC-24 and PC-12 without compromising payload or aerodynamic efficiency. As LEO networks mature, factory-installed broadband is rapidly transitioning from a premium upgrade to a baseline requirement for new business aircraft.
Sources: Pilatus Aircraft
Photo Credit: Pilatus Aircraft
Business Aviation
Hybrid-Electric Propulsion for Long-Range Business Jets
NBAA-highlighted research shows hybrid-electric systems could cut emissions on large-cabin bizjets, with certification gaps remaining.
This article summarizes reporting by the National Business Aviation Association.
A peer-reviewed study highlighted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in its July/August 2026 publication indicates that parallel hybrid-electric propulsion systems could deliver substantial emissions reductions for large-cabin business jets in the near term. The research challenges the prevailing industry assumption that Electric-Aviation technologies are strictly limited to short-range or light aircraft applications.
Authored by Piper Aircraft structural design engineer Ambar Sarup, the paper explores the engineering hurdles of integrating hybrid-electric propulsion (HEP) into long-range platforms. Sarup began the research at the University of Illinois in 2022 by modeling HEP applications for a Gulfstream GV, later expanding the scope to provide a generic framework for the business aviation sector.
Bridging the energy density gap
The primary technical barrier to electrified long-range flight remains the stark difference in energy density between traditional aviation fuel and current battery technology. According to Dr. Jeff Belt, an aircraft battery consultant with Electrochem Technologies LLC, Jet A fuel provides approximately 12,000 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). The most advanced battery cells currently available offer between 300 and 400 Wh/kg.
Belt noted that battery technology alone cannot currently impact long-distance flight. While Bloomberg data cited by Belt projects a 3 percent to 5 percent annual increase in battery specific energy, the performance gap necessitates a hybrid approach.
Sarup advocates for a parallel system where a conventional turbofan engine and electric motors assist one another. Because the turbofan handles the majority of the thrust requirements, the necessary electric components remain relatively small. The research models a 3,400-nautical-mile flight, such as a route from New York to London. If just 5 percent of the propulsion energy comes from a hybrid-electric system, the aircraft would save 1,900 pounds of fuel and eliminate 6,000 pounds of carbon emissions.
Ground operations and emerging market entrants
Beyond in-flight propulsion assistance, alternative operational concepts offer immediate efficiency gains. Belt proposed utilizing battery power exclusively for ground operations and taxiing. The aircraft would then recharge the batteries during flight and use electric power again after landing. This method requires only small electric motors and batteries that weigh slightly more than the fuel they replace.
The broader industry is already advancing similar concepts. France-based Beyond Aero completed a preliminary design review for a Hydrogen-electric business jet targeting an 800-nautical-mile range with a capacity of six to eight passengers. Concurrently, Boeing-backed startup Evio is developing a regional airliner that utilizes a hybrid-electric propulsion system from Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Navigating Certification frameworks
Hardware development is only part of the challenge. Both Sarup and Belt emphasized the critical need for established certification pathways from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The FAA issued harmonization document AC-21.17-4, which clarifies the regulatory status of electric aircraft components. While Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) exist for various electrical parts, the agency has not established a TSO specifically for propulsion batteries. Consequently, Manufacturers must certify these batteries as an integrated part of the aircraft rather than as standalone components.
Despite these regulatory and technical hurdles, Sarup remains optimistic about the scalability of the technology.
“I think the biggest misconception is that hybrid-electric propulsion is limited to smaller, shorter-range aircraft. That’s not true. We can get the range. We can get the speed. And we can get the performance to meet the needs of tomorrow’s long-range business aircraft,” Sarup stated.
AirPro News analysis
We view the transition toward parallel hybrid-electric systems as the most pragmatic stepping stone for business aviation sustainability. While fully electric long-haul flight remains constrained by the physics of battery energy density, utilizing electric motors to supplement turbofans during peak thrust demands or ground operations offers a realistic path to lower emissions. The lack of a dedicated FAA TSO for propulsion batteries will likely force original equipment manufacturers into complex, aircraft-level certification programs. This regulatory reality may dictate the pace of hybrid-electric adoption more than the underlying technology itself.
Photo Credit: Pratt & Whitney
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