Bridger Aerospace Awarded Exclusive-Use Contract by State of Montana for Innovative Wildfire Detection Aircraft
Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) has won an exclusive-use contract from the State of Montana for wildfire detection and mapping services using a modified Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft. The contract includes a one-year initial term with two optional extension years, guaranteeing a minimum of 120 days of availability for a minimum annual value of $648,000, with potential for additional revenue from extra days and flight hours.
The contract represents the first joint effort between Bridger and FMS Aerospace since their 2024 acquisition, utilizing their combined in-house design, engineering, and Part 145 modification capabilities. The specially modified aircraft will be equipped with advanced sensor systems and an operator workstation to provide real-time infrared imagery, wildfire hotspot identification, and precise fire perimeter mapping to support firefighting crews throughout Montana.
Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) ha vinto un contratto di esclusiva d'uso dallo Stato del Montana per servizi di rilevamento e mappatura degli incendi boschivi utilizzando un aereo modificato Daher Kodiak 100. Il contratto prevede un termine iniziale di un anno con due anni di estensione opzionali, garantendo un minimo di 120 giorni di disponibilità per un valore annuale minimo di 648.000 dollari, con potenziale per ulteriori entrate da giorni e ore di volo extra.
Il contratto rappresenta il primo sforzo congiunto tra Bridger e FMS Aerospace dalla loro acquisizione nel 2024, sfruttando le loro capacità combinate di design, ingegneria e modifiche ai sensi della Parte 145. L'aereo appositamente modificato sarà dotato di sistemi di sensori avanzati e di una postazione di lavoro per l'operatore per fornire immagini infrarosse in tempo reale, identificazione dei punti caldi degli incendi e mappatura precisa del perimetro del fuoco per supportare le squadre antincendio in tutto il Montana.
Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) ha ganado un contrato de uso exclusivo del Estado de Montana para servicios de detección y mapeo de incendios forestales utilizando una aeronave Daher Kodiak 100 modificada. El contrato incluye un plazo inicial de un año con dos años de extensión opcionales, garantizando un mínimo de 120 días de disponibilidad por un valor anual mínimo de 648,000 dólares, con potencial para ingresos adicionales por días y horas de vuelo extra.
El contrato representa el primer esfuerzo conjunto entre Bridger y FMS Aerospace desde su adquisición en 2024, aprovechando sus capacidades combinadas de diseño interno, ingeniería y modificaciones de Parte 145. La aeronave especialmente modificada estará equipada con sistemas de sensores avanzados y una estación de trabajo para el operador para proporcionar imágenes infrarrojas en tiempo real, identificación de puntos calientes de incendios y mapeo preciso del perímetro del fuego para apoyar a los equipos de bomberos en todo Montana.
브리저 항공 (NASDAQ: BAER)은 수정된 다헤르 코디악 100 항공기를 사용하여 산불 탐지 및 매핑 서비스에 대한 몬태나 주의 독점 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 계약은 1년의 초기 기간과 2년의 선택적 연장을 포함하며, 최소 연간 가치 648,000달러를 보장하는 최소 120일의 가용성을 보장합니다. 추가 일수 및 비행 시간으로 인한 추가 수익 가능성도 있습니다.
이 계약은 2024년 인수 이후 브리저와 FMS 항공 간의 첫 번째 공동 노력으로, 내부 디자인, 엔지니어링 및 파트 145 수정 능력을 결합하여 활용합니다. 특별히 수정된 항공기는 실시간 적외선 이미지를 제공하고, 산불 핫스팟을 식별하며, 몬태나 전역의 소방대원을 지원하기 위해 정확한 화재 경계 매핑을 제공하기 위해 고급 센서 시스템과 운영자 작업 공간으로 장착될 것입니다.
Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) a remporté un contrat d'utilisation exclusive de l'État du Montana pour des services de détection et de cartographie des incendies de forêt en utilisant un aéronef Daher Kodiak 100 modifié. Le contrat comprend une durée initiale d'un an avec deux années d'extension optionnelles, garantissant un minimum de 120 jours de disponibilité pour une valeur annuelle minimale de 648 000 dollars, avec un potentiel de revenus supplémentaires pour des jours et heures de vol supplémentaires.
Ce contrat représente le premier effort conjoint entre Bridger et FMS Aerospace depuis leur acquisition en 2024, en utilisant leurs capacités combinées de conception, d'ingénierie et de modifications de la Partie 145. L'aéronef spécialement modifié sera équipé de systèmes de capteurs avancés et d'un poste de travail pour l'opérateur afin de fournir des images infrarouges en temps réel, d'identifier les points chauds des incendies et de réaliser une cartographie précise du périmètre des feux pour soutenir les équipes de lutte contre les incendies dans tout le Montana.
Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) hat einen exklusiven Vertrag des Bundesstaates Montana für Dienstleistungen zur Erkennung und Kartierung von Waldbränden mit einem modifizierten Daher Kodiak 100 Flugzeug gewonnen. Der Vertrag umfasst eine einjährige Anfangsfrist mit zwei optionalen Verlängerungsjahren und garantiert eine Mindestverfügbarkeit von 120 Tagen zu einem minimalen Jahreswert von 648.000 Dollar, mit Potenzial für zusätzliche Einnahmen aus zusätzlichen Tagen und Flugstunden.
Der Vertrag stellt den ersten gemeinsamen Einsatz von Bridger und FMS Aerospace seit ihrer Übernahme im Jahr 2024 dar und nutzt ihre kombinierten internen Design-, Ingenieur- und Part 145 Änderungsfähigkeiten. Das speziell modifizierte Flugzeug wird mit fortschrittlichen Sensorsystemen und einem Arbeitsplatz für den Bediener ausgestattet, um Echtzeit-Infrarotbilder, die Identifizierung von Hotspots bei Waldbränden und eine präzise Kartierung des Brandperimeters bereitzustellen, um die Feuerwehrmannschaften in ganz Montana zu unterstützen.
- Secured new exclusive-use contract with minimum annual value of $648,000
- Nearly all air attack and sensor-equipped fleet committed/operational for 2025 fire season
- First successful joint contract leveraging FMS Aerospace acquisition synergies
- Potential for additional revenue beyond minimum contract value
- Contract renewal dependent on state funding availability
- initial contract duration of one year
Insights
Bridger Aerospace's new contract with Montana represents a strategic win that delivers more value than the
The contract's structure offers notable upside potential through additional days and flight hours beyond the 120-day minimum commitment. More importantly, this marks the first tangible validation of Bridger's 2024 FMS Aerospace acquisition, demonstrating successful integration of FMS's engineering and modification capabilities with Bridger's operational expertise.
The exclusive-use nature of this contract delivers predictable revenue while the optional extension years provide a pathway to
This modified Kodiak 100 deployment represents Bridger's execution of a differentiation strategy, moving beyond basic aerial firefighting into higher-value intelligence and mapping services. The company is effectively leveraging its specialized capabilities to capture contracts that traditional aerial service providers cannot fulfill, establishing competitive moats in the aerial firefighting sector.
This Montana contract award carries several favorable elements from a government procurement perspective. First, winning through competitive bidding validates Bridger's pricing strategy and specialized capabilities in a transparent evaluation process. The exclusive-use structure is particularly advantageous over call-when-needed arrangements, providing guaranteed minimum revenue while maintaining upside through variable utilization.
The
Of particular note is the specialized modification requirement, which likely competition and leveraged Bridger's integrated capabilities following the FMS acquisition. This specialized integration work establishes a technical differentiation that will be difficult for competitors to replicate in future bidding cycles.
From a continuity perspective, the two option years significantly increase the likelihood of contract retention, as government agencies typically exercise options when contractor performance meets requirements. This creates a high probability revenue stream through 2027, assuming adequate state funding continues. The operational intelligence capabilities delivered through this contract also position Bridger as a technology-forward contractor rather than merely an aircraft provider—a distinction that typically commands premium pricing in government procurement.
BELGRADE, Mont., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (“Bridger” or “Bridger Aerospace”) (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), announced today that, after participating in a competitive bidding process, it has been notified by the State of Montana as the successful bidder for an exclusive-use contract to provide wildfire detection and mapping using a specially modified Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft. The exclusive-use agreement includes an initial one-year term, with two optional extension years pending continued state funding. The contract provides for a minimum of 120 days of availability for a minimum annual value of
“With this award, nearly all of Bridger’s air attack and sensor-equipped fleet is either committed or currently operational for the 2025 fire season,” stated Sam Davis, Chief Executive Officer at Bridger Aerospace. “This opportunity, which expands our portfolio of exclusive-use contracts, is particularly significant as it enables us to support critical firefighting operations in our home state. With our specialized in-house aircraft modification capabilities, we’re uniquely positioned to rapidly deliver advanced aerial intelligence and mapping solutions, directly supporting the safety and effectiveness of wildfire response teams throughout Montana.”
This modification integrates an advanced sensor system and operator workstation into the Kodiak and is being executed by the combined Bridger and FMS Aerospace team. This marks the first-ever joint effort contract award for their in-house design, engineering, and Part 145 modification capabilities since the acquisition of FMS in 2024. It will enable rapid identification of wildfire hotspots across the state, precise fire perimeter mapping, and delivery of near-real-time infrared imagery directly to firefighting crews.
About Bridger Aerospace
Based in Belgrade, Montana, Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest aerial firefighting companies. Bridger provides aerial firefighting and wildfire management services to federal and state government agencies, including the United States Forest Service, across the nation, as well as internationally. More information about Bridger Aerospace is available at https://www.bridgeraerospace.com.
Investor Contacts
Alison Ziegler
Darrow Associates
201-220-2678
aziegler@darrowir.com
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