Bridger Aerospace is an American aerospace company which provides aerial firefighting and wildfire management services.[2] The company has supported firefighting efforts in 24 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.[3]
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: BAER | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Tim Sheehy |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | [1] |
| Website | Official website |
In January 2023, Bridger went public via SPAC merger with a valuation of $869 million.[4] The company has not been profitable since going public.[5]
History
editThe company was founded in 2014 by Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL who utilized airborne surveillance during his service.[6][7] Initially, Sheehy operated one plane to assist ranchers with tracking their cattle from the air.[2] He shifted the company's focus to aerial firefighting during the 2015 wildfire season.[8]
In 2018, Bridger was one of four companies awarded a contract with the United States Department of the Interior to use drones in emergency situations, including during wildfires.[9] It became the first private company to legally use drones for wildfire fighting during the Martin Fire in Nevada, mapping 435,000 acres of burned land in 11 flight runs.[2][9]
By August 2019 the company had grown to a fleet of 20 aircraft and a staff of 100.[10]
In March 2020, Bridger Aerospace offered its fleet to healthcare workers for moving supplies and patients as a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The company also manufactured face shields that it donated to frontline workers and used its fleet to deliver other personal protection equipment to medical personnel throughout Montana.[12][13][14]
Bridger was the launch customer for the De Havilland CL-415EAF Firefighting Aircraft.[15]
In 2024, Tim Sheehy resigned as CEO to focus on his candidacy in the U.S. Senate election in Montana.[5]
Operations
editThe company is headquartered in Belgrade, Montana and provides aerial firefighting services to government agencies, including the United States Forest Service, across the U.S.[10] Its planes are used for fire suppression and it uses unmanned aerial vehicles to map and provide surveillance of fires.[2] The drones provide fire crews with information including infrared imagery of active fires, and support communication with and tracking of firefighters on the ground.[16]
Fleet
editAs of 2021, the company's fleet includes over 20 aircraft, including:
| Aircraft | No. of aircraft | Variants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC500 Shrike Commander[8] | 1 | S | Twin Engine Piston |
| AC690 Turbine Commander[8] | 5 | A, B, C | Twin Engine Turbine |
| AC681 Turbine Commander | 1 | A | Twin Engine Turbine |
| K100 Daher Kodiak[8] | 4 | S | Single Engine Turbine |
| Pilatus PC-12[17] | 3 | PC-12 | Single Engine Turbine |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter | 1 | Series 300 | Twin Engine Turbine with Floats |
| FVR90 | 2 | Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) | |
| Canadair CL-415[8] | 10 | CL-415EAF[18][19] | Amphibious Water Bomber |
References
edit- ^ "Executive Team". Bridger Aerospace. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Writer, Abby Lynes Chronicle Staff (8 September 2019). "Fighting fires and thwarting drones: Belgrade-based sister companies expanding". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Bridger Aerospace Charts". Bridger Aerospace. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ Katje, Chris. "Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Are Secretly Monitoring, But Not Yet Talking About". Benzinga. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b Reinhard, Beth; O'Connell, Jonathan (10 August 2024). "Montana GOP Senate candidate touts his business. It's losing millions". The Washington Post.
- ^ "CEO Of Bridger Aerospace (BAER) On The Importance For Aerial Wildfire Fighting Services". TD Ameritrade Network. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ Record, AL KNAUBER Independent (27 August 2015). "Matter of valor: Former Navy SEAL awarded Bronze Star, Purple Heart". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Bridger Aerospace - Scooping to Success". AerialFire Magazine. November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ a b Wright, Michael (20 July 2018). "Drones becoming vital part of wildland firefighting". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ a b Krevat, Gaby (20 August 2019). "Bozeman high-tech firm provides jobs for veterans and Montana State University graduates". KBKZ. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Local company offers planes to support patients and healthcare workers". KHQ Right Now. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Bridger Aerospace makes face shields for Bozeman Health and emergency responders". KBZK. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ Evans, Cameron (8 April 2020). "Bridger Aerospace delivers face shields to Frenchtown firefighters". missoulian.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ Davidson, Marian (16 April 2020). "Bozeman company donates masks across western Montana". KECI. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Longview delivers first production Viking CL-415eaf Enhancel Aerial Firefighter to Launch Customer Bridger Aerospace Group". VikingAir. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ Magill, Jim (2 November 2020). "Fighting Wildfires with Drones: On the Front Lines with Bridger Aerospace". DRONELIFE. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "2022 Brochure". Bridger Aerospace. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ Montana, Rachel Louise Just ABC FOX (30 September 2019). "Belgrade-based company expanding aerial firefighting fleet". KULR-8 Local News. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Bridger Aerospace receives the first Viking CL-415EAF". Fire Aviation. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.