At VERTICON 2026, Daher will spotlight the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 as "force multipliers" for helicopter fleets

Daher Aircraft will make its first exhibitor appearance at the annual VERTICON show for vertical flight, highlighting the company’s Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 as highly capable fixed-wing airplanes to complement helicopter fleets in support of law enforcement, public safety and government operators. Exhibiting at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta during the March 10-12 event, Daher Aircraft is to highlight how its turboprop-powered Kodiak serves as a “force multiplier” for helicopter-focused operations, significantly enhancing mission capability while reducing overall operational costs. 

Nicolas Chabbert, the CEO of Daher Aircraft stated: “As agencies increasingly seek greater endurance, along with extended coverage and more adaptable missions, the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 offer compelling solutions with their persistent surveillance capabilities.”

Daher acquired the multi-role Kodiak in 2019, making a long-term commitment to this product line by enhancing production resources at the Sandpoint, Idaho industrial facility/ final assembly line; as well as significantly evolving and improving the airplane family – backed by reinforced customer support through a global network already established for the company’s TBM turboprop-powered aircraft.

Since the acquisition, Daher Aircraft introduced the improved Series III variant of the cornerstone Kodiak 100 version, and launched the larger, faster Kodiak 900. The company also intensified its focus on multi-mission markets, including law enforcement and public service customers, supported by the development of in-house systems integration capabilities. Today, approximately one-third of annual Kodiak sales are to multi-mission customers.

The Kodiak’s ability to accommodate a full range of equipment for its air support role is underscored by Daher’s Kodiak 900 Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) demonstrator, integrating a wing strut-mounted system capable of supporting up to a 15-inch-class sensor turret, which is controlled from a full-scale operator’s console in the cabin.

Kodiak 900 MMA operations that supported back-to-back felony arrests

Daher Aircraft validated the Kodiak 900 MMA’s capabilities during an on-site briefing at a law enforcement agency in the western United States, which led to two felony arrests on the same day.

Paul Carelli, Daher Aircraft’s Senior Director of Multi Missions and Business Development for the Americas, said this began when the visiting Daher Aircraft flight crew was asked to assist in an urgent call for support. Rapidly deploying with one of the agency’s officers aboard the airplane, the Kodiak 900 MMA located the suspect vehicle within 52 seconds and maintained visual contact until the successful apprehension. Midway through this operation, the agency’s own helicopter returned to its home base for refueling, while the Kodiak maintained uninterrupted surveillance.

Later the same day, the Kodiak 900 MMA provided persistent overwatch during a high-speed vehicle pursuit involving a felony suspect. The Kodiak 900 MMA once again delivered precise visual support and tracking, remaining on-station when the agency’s helicopter needed to break off for refueling.

The Kodiak 900 MMA’s operating altitude at 7,000-10,000 feet during these two flights ensured its discretion, while reducing the need for complex airspace coordination that is typical of low altitude helicopter operations in congested metropolitan areas. The higher operating altitudes also enabled the Kodiak 900 MMA to fly over such areas as airport runway approach/departure corridors, where the presence of rotorcraft often is restricted.

“This experience was a real eye-opener for the law enforcement agency,” Carelli added.

Excellent endurance and low hourly operating costs

The Kodiak aircraft family’s endurance of seven to eight hours – and up to 9.5 hours in certain configurations – offers significantly longer on-station time than helicopters. Its excellent handling qualities throughout the flight envelope, particularly at slower speeds of 85-110 knots, are combined with a tight turning radius to provide a highly effective, steady platform that can be flown by aviators ranging from higher-time flight officers to those with less piloting experience.

From a cost perspective, the Kodiak offers meaningful advantages. Average direct operating costs are approximately $400 per hour, including fuel, with potential for lower costs under certain Part 91 maintenance programs. This is substantially less than the typical hourly expense for helicopters.

“Operationally and economically, the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 are extremely effective aircraft,” Carelli said. “They provide agencies with extended surveillance capability at a fraction of the cost of helicopters, while integrating seamlessly into their existing aviation units’ ground infrastructure.”

Daher Aircraft’ expanding customer base of multi-mission operators

During the VERTICON 2026 show, Daher Aircraft will outline the growing number of law enforcement and public service customers for the Kodiak aircraft family, including:

• New York State Police: Acquiring four Kodiak 100s to join the agency’s helicopter fleet beginning this summer, the aircraft will feature advanced mission equipment – including night vision capability;
• Virginia State Police: Operating three Kodiak 100s within the agency’s aviation unit, joining its helicopter resources;
• Missouri Highway Patrol: In addition to its distinction of becoming the first Kodiak 900 multi-mission operator, the Highway Patrol’s aircraft marked Daher’s initial in-house system integration for a public safety customer;
• Maine Marine Patrol bureau: Equipped with amphibious floats for operations from both water and land, its Kodiak 100 is deployed in missions that vary from commercial fishing regulatory enforcement, maritime security details and search & rescue to the offshore monitoring of endangered Northern Right Whales.