AEVEX Delivers $12.3M Twin Otter to Oregon Forestry

AEVEX Corp. delivered a customized DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Commercial-Aircraft to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) on June 11, 2026, providing the state with a $12.3 million multi-mission platform ahead of the peak summer wildfire season.

Announced in a company press release, the Delivery replaces the agency’s aging Partenavia P.68 Observer, which is retiring after more than 30 years of continuous service. The newly modified Twin Otter integrates advanced daytime and nighttime aerial detection capabilities, allowing crews to locate hidden spot fires through heavy smoke and track evolving ground threats.

Technical capabilities and subsystem integration

The airframe underwent extensive modification at AEVEX’s facility in Solana Beach, California. The integration work included $5.4 million in advanced electronics and imaging subsystems, equipping the aircraft with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, synthetic aperture Radar-Systems, and augmented reality mapping Software. These systems are designed to provide real-time mapping and critical intelligence across a wide range of emergency response missions.

“With expanded detection, mapping, and all-hazard capabilities, we can identify threats earlier, respond faster, and deliver critical intelligence across a wider range of missions, from wildfire to all-hazard emergency response,” said Sarah Prout, State Aviation Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Corporate expansion and market positioning

Eric Padilla, Vice President of Aircraft Modification & Integration at AEVEX Corp., stated that the aircraft reflects collaborative planning and engineering to provide a reliable, multi-role capability that enhances public safety when time is critical.

The $12.3 million Contracts delivery aligns with a period of active capital market engagement for the aerospace company. On June 3, 2026, AEVEX priced a public offering of 8 million shares of its Class A common stock at $27.00 per share. The defense and public safety contractor reported a revenue base of $596 million over the last twelve months.

AirPro News analysis

The transition from a light twin-engine Partenavia P.68 to a DHC-6-300 Twin Otter represents a substantial capability upgrade for the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Twin Otter offers greater payload capacity, allowing for the integration of heavier, more sophisticated sensor suites like SAR, which is critical for penetrating dense smoke canopies during peak fire season. We view this procurement as part of a broader trend among state forestry and fire agencies upgrading from legacy visual-reconnaissance platforms to dedicated, sensor-heavy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.

Sources: AEVEX Corp.