USFS "Firewatch" Helicopter

The USFS "Firewatch" helicopter is based on a demilitirized Cobra gunship. With the chin gun removed and replaced with a forward looking infrared thermal imaging systems the "Firewatch" helicopter can send images to the command center to show where fire's hot spots are.

In addition the thermal imaging system the aircraft is also equipped with a Traffic Collision and Avoidance System for identifying other aircraft in the vicinity, an onboard computer, geo-locating capabilities to aid in low visibility and microwave for sending live infrared videos back to fire camp at a distance of up to 30 miles.