Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp. (AEM), a subsidiary of Structural Monitoring Systems Plc. was selected to supply the loudspeaker systems for seven new Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters, three of which were delivered to California in December. United Rotorcraft and Sikorsky selected AEM’s LS1320 loudspeaker system to provide air-to-ground communication for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, with more Firehawk systems on order.
The new S-70i aircraft is outfitted with specialized equipment to meet the demands of California’s growing wildfire challenges, including a newly designed water tank, 600 lb external rescue hoist, a 9,000 lb cargo hook and a 1,320 watt loudspeaker system from AEM. “We’re excited and honored to be the external loudspeaker provider of choice for the Firehawk program” said Steve Broderick, Sales and Business Development representative at AEM.
AEM is the leading supplier of loudspeaker systems for a wide-range of special-role aircraft, providing intelligible external audio for search and rescue, law enforcement and military agencies.
“Fire fighting missions place helicopters into some of the most extreme conditions known to the aviation business” Broderick continued, “the AEM team designs, qualifies and manufactures extremely robust, effective avionics equipment. Our loudspeaker systems are loud, they are clear, and they can withstand anything you can put your aircraft through.”
United Rotorcraft and Sikorsky are expected to deliver more than a dozen S-70i Firehawk aircraft in the next two years.
