California takes delivery of final Firehawk helicopters, completing 16-aircraft upgrade

California on Wednesday announced the delivery of the final two Firehawk helicopters to the state's aerial firefighting fleet, completing a 16-aircraft procurement intended to boost fire suppression capacity and enable night operations. CAL FIRE Director Joe Tyler and Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the helicopters at the Aviation Management Unit in Sacramento, saying the aircraft replace older single‑engine “Huey” helicopters and increase water capacity from roughly 325 gallons to as much as 1,000 gallons. “These helicopters are here to serve and support the people of California, both our residents and our visitors,” Tyler said. The acquisition began after devastating San Diego County fires in February 2003, Tyler said. State procurement work started in February 2015 and the first contract was signed in February 2018;…