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Englewood, CO — Nov. 14, 2025 — United Rotorcraft received a Gold Medallion at BAE Systems ‘Partner2Win’ suppler symposium, recognizing its exceptional performance and commitment to operational excellence this year.
United Rotorcraft’s contributions to supply chain success and the U.S. defense industrial base helped BAE Systems ensure quality deliveries of combat vehicles and weapon systems to the U.S. military and its allies.
“The strength of our supply network is these companies. They’re more than just partners – they’re an extension of our team,” said Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of integrated operations for BAE Systems’ Combat Mission Systems business. “Their innovation, reliability, and relentless commitment to excellence fuels our ability to deliver for warfighters. This event is our way of saying thank you and celebrating the power of what we deliver together.”
The ‘Partner2Win’ program, now in its seventh year, acknowledges suppliers who excel in operations, quality, and procurement. Through this program, BAE Systems fosters close relationships with its suppliers, sharing best practices, learnings, and innovative solutions to drive mutual success. The award-winning suppliers this year have demonstrated exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality products for warfighters.
Learn more about BAE Systems’ ‘Partner2Win’ supplier symposium here.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems, Inc. and its nearly 41,000 people are part of a global defense, aerospace, and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. We deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, sea and space, as well as advanced electronics, intelligence, security, and IT solutions and support services. Our dedication shows in everything we do. Inspired by the exceptional, our ambitious teams design, produce, and deliver—to protect those who protect us in a high-performance, innovative, flexible, and collaborative culture. We push the limits of possibility to provide a critical advantage to our customers where it counts.
About United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft, an Air Methods Division, is a leading provider of mission-critical aircraft completions and modifications, specializing in air medical, law enforcement, firefighting, and military applications. With state-of-the-art facilities and decades of engineering expertise, United Rotorcraft delivers innovative, FAA-certified solutions that enhance safety, performance, and mission readiness. As part of Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, United Rotorcraft supports customers worldwide with comprehensive design, manufacturing, and maintenance capabilities. For more information, visit www.unitedrotorcraft.com.
For further information, please contact:
Jeanette Eaton, United Rotorcraft | Mobile: 720-471-4286 | *protected email*
Laken Kilgore, BAE Systems | Mobile: 256-689-2073 | *protected email*
KERN COUNTY, CA – May 22, 2025 – United Rotorcraft is excited to announce a contract with the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) for two FIREHAWK helicopters. This strategic investment will significantly enhance the KCFD aerial firefighting capabilities, providing advanced resources to combat wildfires and support emergency response operations.
Acquired through the U.S. Army surplus program, these two UH-60L Blackhawk helicopters are being transformed into highly capable firefighting aircraft to meet the rigorous demands of aerial firefighting. These enhancements include United Rotorcraft’s exclusive high landing gear, Dart Aerospace’s 1,000-gallon belly tank for precise water drops, and an advanced avionics suite to improve situational awareness.
In a move to ensure optimal operation and maintenance of the new fleet, United Rotorcraft has partnered with Timberline Helicopters, a leading provider of utility and firefighting aviation services. Timberline will complete all initial inspections, PMI’s and de-modification, leveraging their extensive expertise in MRO and with the Black Hawk platform.
“We are honored Kern County has chosen United Rotorcraft and the FIREHAWK helicopter to further enhance its emergency response operations,” said Larry Alexandre, President of United Rotorcraft. “With the increasing threat of wildfires in California, this partnership demonstrates a commitment to equipping first responders with the best technology available to protect lives, property, and natural resources.”
Kern County officials have expressed their enthusiasm for the new firefighting assets, emphasizing their role in improving rapid response times and enhancing aerial suppression efforts.
“The acquisition of these aircraft marks a significant step forward in our emergency response strategy.” Said Aaron Duncan, Kern County Fire Department Chief. “These new helicopters aren’t just an upgrade— they’re a game-changer. With cutting-edge technology, greater speed, and higher payload capacity, they will drastically improve our ability to respond to critical emergencies across Kern County. Most importantly, they increase our aerial firefighting power by an astounding 400% per helicopter —going from 250-gallon water drops to 1,000 gallons. That kind of capacity means faster containment, better protection for our crews, and a stronger defense for the people of Kern County. Working with United Rotorcraft and Timberline, ensures that our crews have the most effective tools available to battle wildfires and conduct rescue missions.”
United Rotorcraft remains committed to advancing aerial firefighting solutions through innovative technology and strategic partnerships. The delivery of these helicopters represents a milestone in improving wildfire response capabilities in California and beyond.