The helicopter (similar aircraft pictured) was located after a search by an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Challenger rescue jet, as well as a Victorian Air Ambulance helicopter and a local skydiving aircraft, the ABC has reported.
Both companies demonstrated the helicopter’s ability to be commanded to take-off, identify the location and size of a small fire, and then accurately drop water to suppress the flames.
The demonstration took place in France and Italy from 30 September to 9 October and involved multiple manned helicopters and unmanned systems connected to a single network.
In an extraordinary investigation published on Thursday, the ATSB also revealed Blake Wilson “did not hold the appropriate endorsements to fly at night” and had flown “well below” the 1,000ft minimum height required for built-up areas.
The United States is known to have purchased multiple Mi-17 helicopters of Soviet origin and may operate as many as 30 of them.
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