Airview Fire Recon Strengthens US Expansion with Appointment of Robert Gunn

Airview Fire Recon (AFR) has announced the appointment of Robert Gunn as Vice President and Head of

Business Development for North America, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding advanced

aerial intelligence capabilities across the United States.

Based in Texas, Gunn brings more than 25 years of experience building markets, closing complex deals, and supporting the growth of technology-driven companies. Throughout his career across the US and Australia, he has developed a reputation for connecting innovative technologies to real-world operational challenges—delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, situational awareness, and decision-making for end users.

In his new role, Gunn will lead AFR’s business development efforts across North America, working closely with Harald Hohenthal, President of US Operations, to accelerate the company’s growth and deepen engagement with fire agencies, emergency management organisations, and public safety aviation operators.

Gunn’s appointment comes at a time when demand for real-time, actionable intelligence in aerial firefighting and disaster response is rapidly increasing. Airview Fire Recon’s platform—proven in Australia and now being introduced to the US delivers live ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) from helicopter-mounted, multi-sensor systems. These capabilities include real-time thermal and daylight video, precision fire mapping, and secure streaming to decision-makers on any device, anywhere.

Critically for the aerial firefighting community, AFR’s technology goes beyond traditional airborneobservation. By integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning, the system accelerates fire mapping, reduces operator workload, and is evolving toward predictive fire behaviour modelling—providing not just a current operating picture, but insight into how incidents may develop.

“What has always driven me is connecting the right technology to the right problem,” Gunn noted. “The most rewarding outcomes are when agencies can say the capability has genuinely changed how they operate—making faster, better-informed decisions in high-pressure environments.”

While wildfire response remains a core application, AFR’s approach reflects a broader shift toward multi-role, all-hazards aerial intelligence. The platform is designed to support a wide range of missions, including wildfire detection and suppression, hurricane and flood response, infrastructure protection, border and rural surveillance, and post-disaster assessment.

This versatility is particularly relevant in large, high-risk jurisdictions such as Texas, where emergency services must contend with wildfires, hurricanes, flash flooding, and extensive critical infrastructure across vast geographic areas. AFR’s ability to provide year-round, integrated aerial intelligence offers agencies a scalable capability that extends well beyond seasonal firefighting operations.

As climate-driven disasters increase in frequency and intensity, the role of ISR in aerial firefighting is evolving. The industry is moving toward real-time, shared situational awareness, deeper integration between airborne and ground systems, and the use of AI to convert data into immediate operational decisions. AFR is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition.

The company’s growing US presence will be on display at the upcoming Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Conference, taking place May 26–29, where more than 3,500 emergency management professionals are expected to attend. Gunn and Hohenthal will be present to engage with stakeholders and demonstrate how AFR’s technology is enhancing safety and effectiveness in aerial and ground operations.

Gunn’s focus will be on building strategic partnerships across emergency management, public safety, and critical infrastructure sectors—ensuring that agencies have access to mission-critical intelligence when it

matters most.

His appointment marks a significant milestone for Airview Fire Recon as it continues to expand

internationally, bringing proven ISR technologies to the US market and supporting the next generation of

aerial firefighting and disaster response capabilities.