Western Canada-based Yellowhead Helicopters is the official launch customer for the brand new MTP136D panel-mount Forest Service radio from Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing (AEM). It was the first major service provider to place an order for AEM's newest radio and is set to update its entire fleet to the MTP136D from January 2024.

"We're committed to providing our customers with the best possible services and solutions," says director of supply chain management Rob Parsons. "Integrating this new radio across our whole fleet will ensure our specialist operators have the most up-to-date tools and equipment necessary to complete complex missions for our customers."

Based in British Columbia and Alberta, Yellowhead operates a large, diverse fleet of helicopters and provides specialty solutions such as: long-lining and slinging, wildfire suppression, heli-skiing, seismic exploration support, wildlife tracking and monitoring, medevac and emergency support, aerial photography and avalanche control.

"Yellowhead is a great partner and has been instrumental in the development and testing of the MTP136D," says Steve Broderick, AEM distribution and business development. "Getting our new radio into service with Yellowhead is an important step for AEM in helping provide aerial firefighters and other multi-mission operators with best-in-class communication solutions."

The MTP136D is a modern panel-mount radio for special-role and multi-mission platforms. Designed with the US Forest Service and aerial firefighting operators in mind, the MTP136D is a Project 25 Phase 1 compliant VHF/FM solution for digital and analogue communication on all channels across the 136MHz to 174MHz frequency band.

The radio boasts a robust design to ensure the highest performance in lengthy and demanding firefighting environments. It is easily integrated for tactical systems, platform upgrades, and is a plug-and-play replacement for existing legacy radios.