Texas A&M Forest Service is launching a state-managed fleet of wildland firefighting aircraft, starting with the acquisition of two SUBARU Bell 412EPX helicopters.
Announced today, the first helicopter is scheduled for delivery in December 2027, with the second expected to arrive three to six months later.
“Texas families and communities depend on strong protection from wildfires,” said Governor Greg Abbott.
“This investment in a dedicated fleet of firefighting aircraft gives our responders faster response times and greater strength to contain fires. Texas can now better respond when disaster strikes.”
The initiative is focused on one key goal: getting aircraft to wildfires as quickly as possible. Early aerial response significantly improves the chances of containing a fire before it spreads into a large, destructive incident.
In 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service, alongside local fire departments, responded to 6,304 wildfires that burned more than 132,000 acres statewide. During those operations, suppression aircraft logged 1,589 flight hours, completed 1,345 aerial drops, and delivered more than one million gallons of water and fire retardant.
“Preparing for the next wildfire season begins long before the first fire starts,” said Robert L. Albritton, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
“This investment gives Texas A&M Forest Service dedicated resources that will improve readiness, strengthen response capabilities and better protect Texans and their communities.”
In June 2026, Los Angeles County Fire Department - Air Operations just took delivery of their brand new Bell 412EPX.
For many years, Texas has depended on federal resource-sharing agreements and support from the Texas Military Department for aerial wildfire suppression. The released statement read as:
"For decades, Texas has relied on federal resource-sharing agreements and a partnership with the Texas Military Department for aerial wildfire suppression. Those partnerships will continue as Texas builds a dedicated, state-managed fleet that provides dependable aviation resources and greater operational flexibility during periods of high wildfire activity."
Chancellor Glenn Hegar said,
“Texas is growing, and so is the risk of catastrophic wildfire,”
“These aircraft will give Texas A&M Forest Service another critical tool to respond quickly, support firefighters on the ground and help protect lives, property and natural resources across our state. This investment strengthens Texas’ ability to respond when every minute counts.”
The new helicopters will enhance wildfire suppression efforts through precise water drops, improved protection of structures, better access to difficult terrain, and rapid water refill capabilities, allowing crews to maintain continuous firefighting operations. They also mark the beginning of a permanent, state-operated aerial firefighting program designed to expand as the state's needs evolve.
On May 19, 2026, the Philippine Air Force received two newly acquired Bell 412EPX Utility Helicopters at Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing modernization and capability enhancement efforts of the PAF.
To support this effort, the 89th Texas Legislature allocated $257 million to Texas A&M Forest Service for the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of wildfire suppression aircraft. The helicopter purchase is the first phase of a broader two-year expansion plan that will also include multimission fixed-wing aircraft and large airtankers.
“The Legislature made a commitment to strengthen Texas’ wildfire preparedness, and today’s announcement puts that investment to work,” said state Rep. Ken King.
“These aircraft will help ensure firefighters have the resources they need to protect lives, property and our rural communities.”
Texas A&M Forest Service fire managers determine the most appropriate aircraft for each wildfire based on factors such as the incident's size, location, fuel conditions, and potential risks to lives and property. This approach ensures the most effective aviation resources are deployed to every response.
The purchase of the helicopters followed the State of Texas procurement process administered by the Texas Comptroller's Statewide Procurement Division.
As part of the process, Texas A&M Forest Service worked with an Aviation Task Force comprising representatives from 12 partner organizations, issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify operational requirements, and later released a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Electronic State Business Daily. After evaluating the proposals received, the contract was awarded to Bell Textron Inc.
“This is a force multiplier for our state’s wildfire preparedness,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Jared Karns.
“Aviation resources provide tremendous support to firefighters on the ground, including life- and property-saving intelligence for fire managers, access to otherwise inaccessible areas, the ability to deliver large volumes of water and fire retardant to slow the spread and reduce the intensity of wildfires, and rapid turnaround times that keep aircraft engaged in the fight.”
The Subaru Bell 412EPX is an advanced, rugged multi-role utility helicopter developed in collaboration with Subaru Corporation. Designed for extreme environments, it features an upgraded Pratt & Whitney PT6T-9 engine, a reinforced main rotor gearbox, and advanced BasiX Pro glass-cockpit avionics.
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