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An Overview of the Program

Aviation Procedures and Information

1) GENERAL: The FireWatch aircraft are US Army, transfer of property Bell 209/AH-1F Cobra helicopters converted for use as an aerial supervisory platform. Several mission-enhancing technologies are installed to determine their applicability to USFS operations. The aircraft and crew will be assigned to a variety of missions to determine its suitability in the ATGS role, real-time infrared imagery projection, and air-to-ground video down-linking. Other missions may be identified and assumed as appropriate applications become apparent.

The FireWatch helicopter will be utilized in a way that supports safety first, and increases real-time intelligence gathering second. In some instances the intelligence-gathering capabilities may be of more value to the incident personnel than the ATGS/ASM capabilities. In these cases another aerial supervisory platform may be ordered and a traditional "handoff" would occur before the FireWatch aircraft becomes dedicated to the remote sensing mission.

The aircraft can make landings in areas that can accommodate a Type 2 helicopter. It is possible for the ATGS to perform intelligence-gathering duties, land and have a face-to-face meeting with the Incident Commander (IC) or other incident staff. Delivery of data in the form of a GIS compatible map can be hand delivered by physical delivery of a "jump drive". The shape files created by the aircraft can be reprocessed in the GIS Van to suit the user unit.

Live video down linking can be delivered to a portable microwave receiver that is normally carried in the aircraft. The portable microwave receiver range is approximately 17 miles. The GIS Van has microwave receiving capability of 25 mile line of sight range. There are 4 Microwave frequencies that are licensed through the NTIA for use by FireWatch.

The GIS Van is the processor of map data received from a FireWatch helicopter and projector of the live video data. The duties of the data van operator may include: Defining the correct ICS personnel to deliver the data and information, locating a suitable site for data recovery at or near an incident command post, and processing shape files for a GIS specialist attached to the incident.

Note: It is imperative when operating strictly in the "Intelligence Gathering" mode, that the call sign be changed to "FireWatch" from "Air Attack". This is essential to alleviate any confusion if another aerial supervisory aircraft is responsible for the aerial supervisory duties.