The Oregon Department of Forestry has strengthened its emergency response capabilities with the purchase of a new $13.23 million Multi-Mission Aircraft.
The Twin Otter airframe replaces the agency’s Partenavia P.68 Observer, which is retiring after more than 30 years of service.
The investment was funded by $12 million in bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2023 and $1.23 million from other sources.
State Aviation Coordinator Sarah Prout said the new aircraft represents a “significant advancement” in how the state monitors and responds to incidents.
The $7.8 million aircraft includes $5.4 million in integrated sensing technology and mission systems, turning the plane into an aerial intelligence platform. The platform is designed for wildfire detection, real-time mapping and the movement of personnel and equipment.
It is equipped with Artificial Intelligence-enabled wide-area mapping, high-definition thermal imaging and augmented reality mapping software.