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Committee advances 3-year pilot to test autonomous aerial firefighting
Summary
AB 270 would fund a three-year pilot to evaluate autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority. The committee advanced the bill with discussion about costs, aircraft capabilities and a $15 million pilot funding request.
The committee advanced AB 270, a bill that would authorize and seek funding for a three‑year pilot to evaluate autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters under the oversight of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
Assemblymember Petrie-Norris and OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy described the technology as a potential force multiplier that could expand aerial operations into conditions that limit crewed aircraft, such as nighttime operations, limited visibility and certain inaccessible terrain. Chief Fennessy said the OCFA has led other innovations — including the state’s fixed-wing FIRIS platform — and views a limited pilot as a way to test whether autonomous aircraft could reduce response times and protect lives and property.
Witnesses supporting the bill included former Cal OES director Mark Ghilarducci (represented in testimony), Lockheed Martin Sikorsky, the California Fire Chiefs Association, the Fire District Association of California, CalFire partners and private companies developing the systems. Camille Wagner read a statement for Ghilarducci urging a pilot to evaluate feasibility, costs, risks and benefits before wider deployment.
Cost and capability questions featured in committee discussion. The author said the pilot request is for $15,000,000 for a three‑year program; the bill itself does not automatically appropriate funds but accompanies a budget request. Committee members asked about the per‑aircraft price: witnesses said new heavy-lift firefighting helicopters can cost near $30 million; surplus military airframes (H‑60 series and similar) converted for civilian weight classes were discussed with price ranges cited between about $5 million and $10 million for some models, and added conversion and autonomy-integration costs are separate and not specified in the hearing. Chief Fennessy said configuration can take months and that the program would evaluate operational limits — including high‑wind performance — and whether autonomous systems can safely operate where crewed aircraft cannot.
Supporters emphasized that the pilot is intended as a supplement, not a replacement, for existing aerial firefighting resources and that OCFA would host training and evaluation for statewide personnel. The bill was advanced to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection for further consideration of regulatory and data issues.
Clarifying details: the author described a $15 million budget ask for a finite, state-run pilot and emphasized that wider deployment would require further funding decisions at the Legislature. No specific appropriation text appeared in committee testimony, and per‑aircraft conversion costs were not finalized in the hearing.
Vote and next steps: The committee recorded a roll-call and referred AB 270 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection for further review of implementation, procurement and regulatory matters.
