Bridger Aerospace
 | |
 | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: BAER | |
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Tim Sheehy |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | |
| Website | Official website |
| Footnotes [1] | |
Bridger Aerospace is an American aerospace company that provides aerial firefighting and wildfire management services.[2] It has supported firefighting efforts in 24 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Founded in 2014, it is publicly traded on the NASDAQ and as of 2026 owns the largest private Super Scooper fleet in the world.
History
[edit]Bridger Aerospace was founded in Montana is 2014 by former Navy Seal Tim Sheehy.[3][4] It was initially operated with one plane that assisted ranchers with tracking cattle from the air.[2] During the 2015 wildfire season, the company shifted its focus to aerial firefighting.[5] Its first contract was with the U.S. Forest Service where it provided air attack work incorporating sensor and infrared technology.[6]
By 2018, Bridger was using unmanned aircraft systems for firefighting activities and 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.[7] The same year 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][7] By August 2019 the company had grown to a fleet of 20 aircraft and a staff of 100.[8]
Bridger added fire suppression and initial attack capabilities in 2020 with the receipt of two De Havilland CL-415EAF Firefighting Aircraft. The company was the launch customer for the aircraft after convincing DeHavilland of Canada to begin production on such aircraft after a 10 year dormancy.[9][6] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company offered its fleet to healthcare workers for moving supplies and patients.[10] 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.[11][12][13]
In January 2023, Bridger merged with Jack Creek and went public via SPAC merger at a valuation of $869 million.[14][15] By 2025, its services were used in various states, including helping fight the 2025 California wildfires.[16] It also secured a $20 million contract with the United States Department of the Interior for surveillance aircraft to assist the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service.[17] It secured an additional contract with the United States Department of the Interior in 2026.[18]
In January 2026, Bridger acquired additional firefighting and air attack aircraft to expand its operational fleet. The purchases included two Canadair CL-215T amphibious firefighting aircraft, acquired for approximately $50 million, following the earlier acquisition of four air attack aircraft in late 2025.[19] As of 2026, it owns the largest private Super Scooper fleet in the world.[20]
The company has faced ongoing financial issues, including loses of 77 million in 2023[21] and an enormous drop of 22.1% stock value in 2025.[22] The company has spent $200 million on expenditures since 2020, with expenses surging in the past 3 years. Despite stepping down from the company in 2024, former CEO Tim Sheehy created a blind trust linked to the company while actively participating in legislation in support of Bridger Aerospace's operations.[23]
Operations
[edit]The company is headquartered in Belgrade, Montana and provides aerial firefighting services to government agencies, including the United States Forest Service, across the U.S.[8] 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.[24] The company has supported firefighting efforts in 24 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.[25]
Fleet
[edit]As of 2021, the company's fleet includes over 20 aircraft, including:
| Aircraft | No. of aircraft | Variants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC500 Shrike Commander[5] | 1 | S | Twin Engine Piston |
| AC690 Turbine Commander[5] | 5 | A, B, C | Twin Engine Turbine |
| AC681 Turbine Commander | 1 | A | Twin Engine Turbine |
| K100 Daher Kodiak[5] | 4 | S | Single Engine Turbine |
| Pilatus PC-12[26] | 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[5] | 6 | CL-415EAF[27][28] | EAF "Enhanced Aerial Firefighter" configuration |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Executive Team". Bridger Aerospace. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 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.
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Bridger Aerospace - Scooping to Success". AerialFire Magazine. November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- 1 2 Mason, Ryan (1 May 2023). "From Seal to CEO: Executive Profile – Tim Sheehy, Bridger Aerospace". Aerial Fire.
- 1 2 Wright, Michael (20 July 2018). "Drones becoming vital part of wildland firefighting". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- 1 2 Krevat, Gaby (20 August 2019). "Bozeman high-tech firm provides jobs for veterans and Montana State University graduates". KBKZ. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ↑ "Longview delivers first production Viking CL-415eaf Enhancel Aerial Firefighter to Launch Customer Bridger Aerospace Group". VikingAir. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Katje, Chris. "Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Are Secretly Monitoring, But Not Yet Talking About". Benzinga. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ↑ Cuenca, Oliver. "Bridger merges with Jack Creek". AirMed and Rescue.
- ↑ Powers, Cassidy. "From Bozeman to the Blazes: Bridger Aerospace steps up to assist in West Fork and Bivens Creek wildfires". 7KBZK.
- ↑ Fox, Chloe. "Bridger Aerospace secures new contract with the US Department of the Interior". AirMed and Rescue.
- ↑ "Bridger Aerospace secures $18.6M 5-year contract in Alaska". MSN.
- ↑ Cuenca, Oliver. "Bridger Aerospace acquires new aircraft". www.airmedandrescue.com. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ↑ Byrne, Alexandra. "Super Scooper planes that fight wildfires are 'rugged, reliable' — and rare". NBC News.
- ↑ Kimbel-Sannit, Arren (9 April 2024). "U.S. Senate hopeful's company reported losses of more than $77 million in 2023". Montana Free Press. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Zacks Equity Research (10 March 2026). "Bridger Aerospace Stock Slips Post Q4 Earnings Despite Revenue Growth".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Standing, The Last Bear (18 July 2025). "The Ugly Duckling". www.thelastbearstanding.com. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ Magill, Jim (2 November 2020). "Fighting Wildfires with Drones: On the Front Lines with Bridger Aerospace". DRONELIFE. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ↑ "Bridger Aerospace Charts". Bridger Aerospace. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Gabbert, Bill (18 April 2020). "Bridger Aerospace receives the first Viking CL-415EAF". WildFire Today. International Association of Wildland Fire. Retrieved 28 May 2020.