Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA – Bell Textron has announced an order from Texas A&M Forest Service for two SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters, marking the first Bell aircraft to enter the agency’s fleet. The acquisition is part of a master purchasing agreement that also includes options for additional helicopters in the future.

The new helicopters will support wildfire suppression, search and rescue, and emergency response missions across Texas. Each aircraft will be equipped with a rescue hoist and a belly-mounted water tank to enhance firefighting capabilities while improving the agency’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies.

Lane Evans, Managing Director of North American Sales at Bell said: "The SUBARU Bell 412EPX is a modern and capable multi-mission solution that continues to deliver the power, flexibility, and dependability that operators need for critical missions. We’re proud to support Texas A&M Forest Service as they expand their aviation abilities to protect communities and natural resources across the state of Texas."

Texas A&M Forest Service provides aviation support to homeowners, forest landowners, local communities and fire departments throughout the state. The agency combines wildfire suppression, forest conservation and emergency response, helping protect lives, property and natural resources.

Jared Karns, Fire Chief for Texas A&M Forest Service said: "Protecting lives and property is a priority in Texas. This agreement is the first of many steps to develop a state-managed wildfire aviation program that will give Texas greater control over the timing, positioning, and deployment of fire suppression aircraft, helping keep Texas prepared."

The SUBARU Bell 412EPX is a medium twin-engine helicopter designed for multi-mission operations. It features an advanced avionics suite, a configurable cabin and performance suited for firefighting, public safety, law enforcement, search and rescue and emergency medical missions. The helicopter has a maximum internal weight of 12,200 pounds, a maximum external weight of 13,000 pounds, and can carry up to 5,000 pounds using its cargo hook.

The SUBARU Bell 412EPX is the latest variant of the Bell 412 family, jointly developed by Bell and Subaru Corporation of Japan. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines, the helicopter offers increased payload capacity, improved durability and enhanced hot-and-high performance. Designed for utility, firefighting, public safety and government operations, the 412EPX continues to expand its global operator base.

About Bell: Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We're an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. We're breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron : Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems.

Texas A&M Forest Service announces first purchase of dedicated wildland firefighting aircraft

Texas A&M Forest Service - College Station, Texas - Texas A&M Forest Service is building a state-managed fleet of wildland firefighting aircraft, beginning with the purchase of two SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters.

The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in December 2027, with the second anticipated to follow three to six months later.

Governor Greg Abbott, said “Texas families and communities depend on strong protection from wildfires. This investment in a dedicated fleet of firefighting aircraft gives our responders faster response times and greater strength to contain fires. Texas can now better respond when disaster strikes.”

The primary objective is simple: get aircraft on a fire sooner. The sooner firefighters can attack a wildfire from the air, the greater the opportunity to contain it before it grows into a larger, more destructive incident.

In 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire departments responded to 6,304 wildfires that burned 132,366 acres across the state. During those responses, wildfire suppression aircraft flew 1,589 hours and made 1,345 drops, delivering more than 1 million gallons of water and fire retardant.

Robert L. Albritton, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, said “Preparing for the next wildfire season begins long before the first fire starts. This investment gives Texas A&M Forest Service dedicated resources that will improve readiness, strengthen response capabilities and better protect Texans and their communities.”

For decades, Texas has relied on federal resource-sharing agreements and a partnership with the Texas Military Department for aerial wildfire suppression. Those partnerships will continue as Texas builds a dedicated, state-managed fleet that provides dependable aviation resources and greater operational flexibility during periods of high wildfire activity.

Chancellor Glenn Hegar, said “Texas is growing, and so is the risk of catastrophic wildfire. These aircraft will give Texas A&M Forest Service another critical tool to respond quickly, support firefighters on the ground and help protect lives, property and natural resources across our state. This investment strengthens Texas’ ability to respond when every minute counts.”

The new helicopters will provide firefighters with precision water drops, enhanced structure protection, improved access to rugged terrain and the ability to quickly return for additional water, allowing crews to remain engaged throughout suppression operations. The aircraft also establish the foundation of a permanent, state-managed aerial firefighting capability that can be expanded as Texas’ needs continue to grow.

The 89th Texas Legislature appropriated $257 million to Texas A&M Forest Service for the purchase, operation and maintenance of wildfire suppression aircraft. The helicopter purchase represents the first phase of a planned expansion over the next two years that includes additional aircraft, including multimission fixed-wing aircraft and large airtankers.

state Rep. Ken King, said “The Legislature made a commitment to strengthen Texas’ wildfire preparedness, and today’s announcement puts that investment to work. These aircraft will help ensure firefighters have the resources they need to protect lives, property and our rural communities.”

Texas A&M Forest Service fire managers select aircraft based on each incident’s size, location, fuel conditions and potential threats to lives and property to ensure the most effective aviation resources are used for every wildfire.

The helicopter purchase followed the State of Texas procurement process administered by the Texas Comptroller’s Statewide Procurement Division. Texas A&M Forest Service consulted an Aviation Task Force representing 12 partner organizations, issued a Request for Information to identify operational requirements, and later issued a Request for Proposals through the Electronic State Business Daily. Following evaluation of the submitted proposals, the contract was awarded to Bell Textron Inc.

Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Jared Karns, said “This is a force multiplier for our state’s wildfire preparedness. Aviation resources provide tremendous support to firefighters on the ground, including life- and property-saving intelligence for fire managers, access to otherwise inaccessible areas, the ability to deliver large volumes of water and fire retardant to slow the spread and reduce the intensity of wildfires, and rapid turnaround times that keep aircraft engaged in the fight.”

About The Texas A&M University System : The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth, and the Texas A&M–RELLIS Campus. The A&M System serves nearly 175,000 students and reaches millions more through research, service, and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities, and drives Texas’s economy forward.