Erickson is known both as an operator and manufacturer of the S-64 Air Crane heavy-lift helicopter, along with providing the air power to fight wildfires globally. But the Portland, Oregon-based company that also offers commercial lift services with its fleet of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as MRO services, is now adding research and development to its credentials.

And leading that charge is senior director of R&D Jeff Baxter, who joined the company a little more than a year ago. His team is developing software that is aimed at helping firefighters determine the most effective location to drop water on a wildland fire that will more efficiently and effectively extinguish it. Read the story at AIN Online.