Erickson, January 10, 2018 - PORTLAND, Ore. — Erickson Incorporated, a leading aerospace manufacturer and aerial services company, has been contracted by the Korea Forest Service to build two new Aircranes to supplement the Forest Service’s firefighting capability.
These aircraft are in addition to a previously ordered S64E Aircrane currently under construction at Erickson and due to be delivered in Q3 2018.
The Forest Aviation Headquarters, a subsidiary of the Korea Forest Service, has ordered two additional S-64E models equipped with firefighting tanks, sea snorkels, foam cannons, glass cockpit, composite main rotor blades and NVG capability.
The S-64 Aircrane is well-known in Korea and has a strong reputation for being the most efficient firefighting aircraft in their existing fleet.
Douglas Kitani, CEO and Director of Erickson said, “This was a global competition, and we were competing with manufacturers from around the world. We are pleased to bring the work and jobs to our Southern Oregon facility and apply Erickson’s unique skillset to augment Korea’s firefighting capabilities.”
KFS was the first foreign government that purchased S-64s from Erickson in 2001, and to date it has operated five Aircranes in Korea while maintaining a contract for parts and service support. This new contract brings the total number of orders for the KFS Aircrane fleet to eight, with the expectation of delivering the seventh and eighth aircraft by the end of 2019. The contract award decision was based on the superior performance and reliability of the Aircrane, Erickson’s attention to customer support, and the relationship of trust that has been built with the Korean Forest Service over the past 20 years.
Erickson owns the world’s largest operational S-64 Aircrane fleet of 20 helicopters as part of their total fleet of 50 aircraft. The Aircrane Helitanker is recognized throughout the industry as one of the most efficient and effective fire-fighting aircraft in the world. The S-64 Helitanker is equipped with a 10,000 liter (2,650 gallons) tank capable of rapid snorkeling either fresh or salt water that helps provide an outstanding capability for fire authorities in both the initial attack of fast moving fires and advanced structure protection. It has internal foam mixing capabilities and provides water or retardant dispensation utilizing eight coverage levels. The aircraft can be configured with a water cannon for high rise and structure protection.
As populations and development expand, aerial firefighting over residential properties and structures becomes a more crucial part of the equation. Erickson’s S-64 excels at supporting ground firefighters in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), as well as high volume firebombing on large fires.
About Erickson: Erickson is a leading global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. The Company is self-reliant, multifaceted and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Defense and National Security, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Aviation Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, transmission line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas and specialty lift). With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia.
These aircraft are in addition to a previously ordered S64E Aircrane currently under construction at Erickson and due to be delivered in Q3 2018.
The Forest Aviation Headquarters, a subsidiary of the Korea Forest Service, has ordered two additional S-64E models equipped with firefighting tanks, sea snorkels, foam cannons, glass cockpit, composite main rotor blades and NVG capability.
The S-64 Aircrane is well-known in Korea and has a strong reputation for being the most efficient firefighting aircraft in their existing fleet.
Douglas Kitani, CEO and Director of Erickson said, “This was a global competition, and we were competing with manufacturers from around the world. We are pleased to bring the work and jobs to our Southern Oregon facility and apply Erickson’s unique skillset to augment Korea’s firefighting capabilities.”
KFS was the first foreign government that purchased S-64s from Erickson in 2001, and to date it has operated five Aircranes in Korea while maintaining a contract for parts and service support. This new contract brings the total number of orders for the KFS Aircrane fleet to eight, with the expectation of delivering the seventh and eighth aircraft by the end of 2019. The contract award decision was based on the superior performance and reliability of the Aircrane, Erickson’s attention to customer support, and the relationship of trust that has been built with the Korean Forest Service over the past 20 years.
Erickson owns the world’s largest operational S-64 Aircrane fleet of 20 helicopters as part of their total fleet of 50 aircraft. The Aircrane Helitanker is recognized throughout the industry as one of the most efficient and effective fire-fighting aircraft in the world. The S-64 Helitanker is equipped with a 10,000 liter (2,650 gallons) tank capable of rapid snorkeling either fresh or salt water that helps provide an outstanding capability for fire authorities in both the initial attack of fast moving fires and advanced structure protection. It has internal foam mixing capabilities and provides water or retardant dispensation utilizing eight coverage levels. The aircraft can be configured with a water cannon for high rise and structure protection.
As populations and development expand, aerial firefighting over residential properties and structures becomes a more crucial part of the equation. Erickson’s S-64 excels at supporting ground firefighters in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), as well as high volume firebombing on large fires.
About Erickson: Erickson is a leading global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. The Company is self-reliant, multifaceted and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Defense and National Security, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Aviation Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, transmission line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas and specialty lift). With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia.
See also |
Erickson S-64 in
Sallim-cheong S-64 Air Crane in
Erickson Erickson to Build S-64E for Korea Forest Service
Erickson S-64F
