What Bridger Aerospace does

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BAER) is a publicly traded aerial firefighting and aerospace services company headquartered in Belgrade, Montana, with a secondary engineering hub in Huntsville, Alabama. Founded in 2014 by combat veterans and public on NASDAQ since 2023, the company operates an integrated fleet of 16+ specialized aircraft organized around three mission profiles: Initial Attack (CL-415EAF and CL-215T Super Scoopers capable of 1,412-gallon water scoops with 10–15 second reload times), Air Attack (PC-12 and Kodiak platforms for airborne incident command), and Multi-Mission (PC-12 MMA and Kodiak MMA fitted with WESCAM MX-15HDi and Overwatch TK-8 infrared sensor suites for real-time fire detection, mapping, and night operations). Bridger also developed and operates IGNIS, a proprietary wildfire technology platform that delivers a real-time common operating picture — including aircraft livestreams, position tracking, georeferenced imagery, and offline Bluetooth mesh data sharing — to incident commanders and ground crews via iOS, Android, and web clients.

The company's revenue is generated almost entirely through multi-year contracts with U.S. federal agencies (primarily the U.S. Forest Service, which has paid Bridger more than $235 million since 2021, and the Department of the Interior), U.S. state agencies (CAL FIRE and approximately nine state forestry/natural resource departments), and Canadian provincial agencies (notably the Government of Alberta), with contracts structured as IDIQ awards, cooperative agreements, and competitive solicitations. Bridger generated $122.8 million in 2025 revenue (25% YoY growth), returned to net profitability of $4.1 million, and guided to $135–145 million for 2026. Operations are supported by in-house aircraft engineering and MRO capability acquired through FMS Aerospace (2024), a fleet expansion facility from Bain Capital ($331.5M senior secured, October 2025), and a $49M real estate sale-leaseback with SomeraRoad. Strategic focus areas include early-season prepositioning, geographic expansion into Alaska, and integrating the IGNIS software layer across multi-vendor wildfire response workflows.

Name

Bridger Aerospace

Legal name

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc.

Website

https://bridgeraerospace.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) is an aerial firefighting company operating a fleet of Super Scoopers, Air Attack, and Multi-Mission aircraft integrated with its proprietary IGNIS wildfire intelligence platform. It serves U.S. federal and state agencies, including the Forest Service and DOI, plus Canadian provincial governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerial Firefighting Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)

Keywords

• Aerial firefighting services
• Wildfire suppression aircraft
• Air attack coordination
• Wildfire intelligence platform
• Amphibious scooper aircraft

Headquarters

HQ city

Belgrade

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aerial Firefighting Services (Government Contracts): Bridger Aerospace generates the majority of its revenue through multi-year contracts with U.S. federal agencies (U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior) and state agencies (CAL FIRE, state forestry departments). Revenue is driven by flight hour rates, aircraft deployment fees, and contract value under IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity) agreements. The company reported $122.8 million in full-year 2025 revenue (25% YoY increase) and provided 2026 guidance of $135-145 million revenue.
2. Aerial Surveillance and Multi-Mission Intelligence Services: Revenue from multi-mission aircraft providing real-time intelligence, fire detection, incident mapping, and sensor-enhanced air attack coordination to government agencies. Services include livestreaming, new-start detection, and wide-area mapping using WESCAM MX-15HDi and Overwatch TK-8 sensors.
3. Aircraft Fleet Expansion and Contract Positioning: Revenue growth is driven by expanding the fleet through acquisition of additional Super Scooper and Air Attack aircraft (e.g., two Canadair CL-215T aircraft and four Air Attack aircraft purchased in December 2025), positioning the company to win expanded wildfire management contracts in 2026 and beyond.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bridger Aerospace provides aerial firefighting and special-mission aviation services through a fleet of Super Scoopers, Air Attack platforms, and Multi-Mission Aircraft. Services include rapid initial-attack water delivery from amphibious CL-415EAF and CL-215T aircraft, aerial command and coordination via PC-12 and Kodiak Air Attack platforms, and real-time wildfire intelligence and mapping from sensor-equipped Multi-Mission Aircraft. The proprietary IGNIS software platform integrates aircraft livestreams, real-time position tracking, georeferenced imagery, and offline data sharing into a common operating picture for wildland firefighters and incident management teams.

Product overview

Bridger Aerospace is a publicly traded aerial firefighting company (NASDAQ: BAER) offering a portfolio of aviation and technology products organized around three core mission profiles: Initial Attack (CL-415EAF and CL-215T Super Scoopers for rapid water delivery), Air Attack (PC-12 and Kodiak platforms for aerial command and coordination), and Multi-Mission (PC-12 MMA and Kodiak MMA with advanced sensor systems for real-time intelligence). The IGNIS technology platform provides software integration across the fleet, delivering a common operating picture with livestream video, aircraft position tracking, offline data sharing, and 3D mapping to incident management teams and ground firefighters. The company operates from Belgrade, Montana (headquarters) and Huntsville, Alabama, with operations across the United States and Canada supporting federal, state, provincial, and local agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IGNIS: Wildfire technology platform that provides a common operating picture for wildland firefighters, enabling real-time situational awareness, aircraft integration, and coordinated incident management.

Products and services

• CL-415EAF Super Scooper Aerial Firefighting Service Rapid initial-attack aerial firefighting service using purpose-built amphibious CL-415EAF Super Scooper aircraft. Collects 1,412 gallons of water per scoop from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in 10–15 seconds, with a 196 mph cruise speed and 4-hour firefighting fuel cycle, enabling sustained suppression without returning to an airport. Sold to U.S. federal (USFS, DOI) and state agencies (CAL FIRE, Alaska, etc.) under multi-year IDIQ contracts.
• PC-12 Air Attack Aerial Command Service Airborne command and coordination service using Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for the Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) to manage aerial firefighting resources over complex incidents. Provides communications systems, visibility, and performance for aerial supervision. Also supports firefighter transport in Alaska.
• Kodiak Air Attack Aerial Command Service Air Attack service using Daher Kodiak high-wing STOL aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine. Enables short takeoff and landing from unimproved or remote airstrips and provides superior downward visibility for aerial supervision over fires.
• PC-12 MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) Intelligence Service Multi-mission intelligence and surveillance service using Pilatus PC-12 MMA aircraft equipped with WESCAM MX-15HDi multi-spectral imaging sensors and Starlink connectivity. Provides high-resolution video, infrared fire detection, real-time livestreaming to incident management teams, onboard ATGS capability, and a Mission Sensor Operator station.
• Kodiak MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) Mapping Service Wide-area mapping service using Daher Kodiak MMA aircraft outfitted with the Overwatch TK-8 infrared-capable sensor. Detects new fire starts and produces detailed fire maps across hundreds of thousands of acres in a single flight, including night operations. Includes an operator workstation for ISR and mapping missions.
• IGNIS Wildfire Operations Platform Wildfire technology software platform providing a real-time common operating picture for wildland firefighters. Delivers aircraft livestream integration, real-time aircraft position tracking, georeferenced imagery, drop target coordination, 3D operational mapping, QR-based crew access, online/offline data sharing via Bluetooth mesh, and incident information integration. Available on iOS, Android, and Web for firefighters, incident management teams, and government agencies.
• CL-215T Super Scooper Aerial Firefighting Service Amphibious aerial firefighting service using Canadair CL-215T Super Scooper aircraft (Spanish Super Scoopers) added to the fleet in December 2025. Multi-engine scoopers designed for sustained wildfire suppression operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aircraft can deliver 1,412 gallons (~12,000 lbs) of water per drop and sustain operations for 4 hours on a single firefighting fuel cycle
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MAB Funding, LLCminorOthers · 30 December 2025MAB Funding, LLC sold two Canadair CL-215T Amphibious Aircraft (Spanish Super Scoopers) to Bridger Aerospace as part of the company's fleet expansion strategy for the 2026 fire season.
• SR Aviation Infrastructure (SomeraRoad)minorOthers · 28 October 2025SR Aviation Infrastructure, a subsidiary of SomeraRoad, entered into a $49 million sale-leaseback of Bridger Aerospace's Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport campus facilities. Bridger entered a ten-year lease to continue operations at the location while using the capital to support fleet growth.
• FMS AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bridger Aerospace acquired FMS Aerospace in 2024, adding aircraft engineering, modification, flight testing, and certification capabilities. The acquisition supports Bridger's in-house engineering division and enables rapid conversion of aircraft from concept to operational readiness for wildfire missions.
• Overwatch ImagingcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Overwatch Imaging provides the TK-8 infrared-capable sensor system deployed on Bridger Aerospace's Kodiak Multi-Mission Aircraft for wide-area mapping, new fire start detection, and night operations. Bridger Aerospace notes Overwatch Imaging is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025/2026 as a globally deployed provider of AI-enabled autonomous airborne sensor systems.
• WESCAM (L3Harris)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023WESCAM (a brand of L3Harris Technologies) provides the MX-15HDi multi-spectral imaging system deployed on Bridger Aerospace's Pilatus PC-12 Multi-Mission Aircraft for high-resolution video, infrared fire detection, and real-time intelligence across broad geographic areas.
• IGNIS PlatformcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023IGNIS is Bridger Aerospace's proprietary wildfire technology platform, acquired as part of company growth in 2023. The platform provides a real-time common operating picture for wildland firefighters, integrating aerial intelligence, live video streams, aircraft tracking, and incident coordination across iOS, Android, and Web platforms.
• Textron (Pilatus & Daher Kodiak)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Bridger Aerospace operates Pilatus PC-12 and Daher Kodiak aircraft configured for Air Attack and Multi-Mission intelligence, mapping, and detection operations. These aircraft platforms form the basis of Bridger's non-Super Scooper fleet for aerial supervision and wildfire intelligence missions.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• 10 Tanker Air Carrier: U.S.-based operator of a fleet of converted McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and other large air tankers providing aerial firefighting retardant delivery to federal and state agencies. Competes with Bridger in the U.S. federal aerial firefighting contract market.
• Neptune Aviation Services: U.S. operator of BAe-146 large air tankers and P2V air-attack platforms providing retardant delivery and aerial supervision under USFS exclusive-use contracts. Directly comparable as a U.S. aerial firefighting fleet operator serving the same Forest Service and state customers as Bridger.
• Conair Aviation: Canadian aerial firefighting specialist operating a large fleet of air tankers, water scoopers, and bird-dog aircraft for Canadian and U.S. agencies. Direct competitor to Bridger in the cross-border aerial firefighting services market.
• Aero-Flite / Minden Air: U.S. aerial firefighting operator flying a large fleet of Avro RJ85 and other air tankers under USFS and state contracts. Direct competitor to Bridger for U.S. Forest Service and state agency large-aircraft firefighting awards.
• Coulson Aviation: Privately held Canadian operator of large aerial firefighting aircraft (including Boeing 737 'FireLiners' and C-130 Hercules tankers) providing scooper and retardant services to U.S. federal, Canadian provincial, and Australian agencies. Direct competitor to Bridger in the same aerial firefighting service category.

Broad incumbents

• PHI Aviation: Large diversified helicopter services operator with wildfire response, aerial firefighting, and utility/medical aviation work across the U.S. Overlaps with Bridger in government firefighting contracts but at much greater scale and broader mission scope.

Others

• Aerial Firefighters International: Industry trade association representing U.S. and international aerial firefighting operators. Adjacent rather than competing, but a useful ecosystem indicator for Bridger's addressable contract universe.
• Overwatch Imaging: Supplier of the TK-8 autonomous airborne sensor system integrated onto Bridger's Kodiak MMA. A technology partner/supplier rather than a competitor, but a useful peer for understanding the sensor/ISR ecosystem in which Bridger's Multi-Mission Aircraft competes.

Emerging players

• Kaman Aerospace (K-MAX): Manufacturer/operator of the K-MAX heavy-lift helicopter used in aerial firefighting (external load, water drops) and commercial/logistics missions. Comparable as a special-mission vertical-lift player adjacent to Bridger's fixed-wing scooper franchise.
• Air Tractor: Manufacturer of single-engine and turbine air tankers (AT-802, AT-502) widely used in aerial firefighting. Adjacent peer because Bridger's downstream customers (state forestry agencies) buy Air Tractor platforms, and Bridger competes for the same end-customer firefighting dollars.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BridgerAero
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/bridgeraerospace
• Facebookfacebook.com/bridgeraerospace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bridgeraerospace
• Instagraminstagram.com/bridgeraerospace

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bridger Aerospace