Production of European Sikorsky Firehawk Begins in Poland

A Sikorsky Fire Hawk helicopter begins production at PZL Mielec in Poland. Source | PZL Mielec

In a milestone for European aerial firefighting and emergency response, PZL Mielec (Mielec, Poland), a Lockheed Martin company, has commenced production of Europe’s first Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk helicopters. The aircraft are being manufactured for the Czech Republic Ministry of the Interior through a partnership with Česká letecká servisní (ČLS), a Helicopter Alliance (HA) company and United Rotorcraft.

The Firehawk is a purpose-built variant of the Black Hawk helicopter. The latter series is known for its extensive composites use — the wide-chord, four-blade main rotor; tail rotor cross beams; glass fiber and Kevlar cockpit doors, canopy, fairings and engine cowl; and glass fiber/Nomex floors; and reportedly received an improved turbine engine in 2024 using CMC. The S-70’s inboard firefighting tank system is also “assembled from commercially available composite panels by Leading Edge Composites,” led by the helicopter’s entry into civilian use with Brainerd Helicopters.

The Firehawk will enable the Czech Republic to launch rapid, all‑weather suppression missions from its home base and, through the European Commission’s RescuEU program, enabling rapid cross‑border deployment whenever wildfire, flood or earthquake emergencies arise.

Beyond the immediate tactical benefit, the program underscores Europe’s strategic move toward self‑reliant, high‑technology defense and civil‑security capabilities. “This production start is the first concrete step toward a continent‑wide, modern aerial firefighting network,” emphasizes Dr. Dennis Goege, vice president and chief executive for Europe, Lockheed Martin.

The program illustrates a seamless collaboration among PZL Mielec, ČLS and U.S.-based United Rotorcraft (Englewood, Colo.), which will be expanding its capabilities into the Czech Republic. The team at PZL Mielec’s state‑of‑the‑art facility in Poland assembles each Black Hawk airframe with the support of more than 1,200 local suppliers. United Rotorcraft will integrate mission‑specific firefighting equipment, conduct crew training and provide long‑term sustainment, ensuring that the Czech operators receive a turnkey solution that mirrors the operational maturity relied upon by U.S. agencies including CAL FIRE, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department and others.

Each Firehawk is equipped with a 1,000‑gallon (3,785-liter) water tank, retractable snorkel, twin engines and night‑vision capability.