Firefighters are taking a military approach to beating the blazes that threaten life and property around the world, and the CH-47 Chinook is at the heart of that effort.
In recent years, devastating wildfires have torn through North America, particularly in California and the dense forests of Canada. In response, firefighting companies have been developing plans that incorporate the best defense equipment to attack fires as they would a military adversary.
“That’s kind of the mode we’re working on,” said Britton Coulson, president and chief operating officer at Coulson Aviation. “[We’re] employing new technology, new programming — using military-derived tech to size up the fire, and then be able to allocate a drop to it.”
The Chinook will be a centerpiece of this evolving firefighting strategy thanks to its versatility and ability to perform safely and effectively in high heat. Its heavy payload also plays a pivotal role in ensuring firefighters have what they need to tame the flames.