Bridger Aerospace (NASDAQ: BAER) widens Q1 loss but reiterates 2026 growth outlook
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $8.5 million, down from $15.6 million a year earlier, mainly due to non-recurring 2025 return-to-service work and atypical early fire deployments last year. The business remained in its seasonal low period as the company prepared its aerial firefighting fleet for a fire season management expects to be highly active.
Cost of revenues was $17.0 million, and Bridger posted a net loss of $31.3 million, or $0.69 per share, compared with a net loss of $15.5 million, or $0.41 per share, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $14.5 million versus a loss of $5.1 million last year, reflecting higher stock-based compensation, warrant fair-value changes and increased workforce and technology spending.
Cash and cash equivalents fell to $9.0 million as of March 31, 2026 from $31.4 million at year end 2025, driven by seasonal working capital needs and investments in fleet readiness, sensor upgrades and aircraft slots. Despite the weak seasonal quarter, Bridger reiterated full-year 2026 guidance for revenue of $135 million–$145 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $55 million–$60 million, which it describes as 14% growth at the midpoint, or 29% when excluding 2025 return-to-service revenue.
Positive
- Reiterated 2026 growth outlook: Full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $135 million–$145 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $55 million–$60 million implies 14% growth at the midpoint, or 29% revenue growth excluding 2025 return-to-service work.
- Expanding high-tech capabilities: Management highlights growing adoption of sensor-enhanced Air Attack aircraft, the Ignis software platform and defense upgrade work through FMS Aerospace, positioning the company for higher-margin, technology-driven services.
Negative
- Sharp year-over-year revenue decline: Q1 2026 revenue was $8.5 million, down 46% from $15.6 million in Q1 2025, as non-recurring Spanish Scooper return-to-service work and prior-year early deployments rolled off.
- Widening losses and cash burn: Net loss increased to $31.3 million from $15.5 million, Adjusted EBITDA loss deepened to $14.5 million from $5.1 million, and cash and cash equivalents fell to $9.0 million from $31.4 million at year end 2025.
Insights
Seasonally weak quarter with higher losses, but strong full-year growth guidance maintained.
Bridger Aerospace reported Q1 2026 revenue of $8.5 million, down 46% from $15.6 million in Q1 2025 as non-recurring Spanish Scooper return-to-service work and prior-year early fire deployments rolled off. Management emphasized that Q1 is structurally a low-activity, maintenance-heavy period ahead of peak wildfire season.
Profitability metrics deteriorated: net loss widened to $31.3 million from $15.5 million, and Adjusted EBITDA loss increased to $14.5 million from $5.1 million. Cash and cash equivalents declined to $9.0 million from $31.4 million at year end, driven by working capital, fleet readiness and technology investments, partly offset by a $6.0 million revolving credit draw.
Despite the weaker quarter, management reiterated 2026 guidance for revenue of $135 million–$145 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $55 million–$60 million, citing elevated wildfire risk, expanded Super Scooper and sensor-enabled fleets, the Ignis software platform and defense-related work at FMS Aerospace. The filing notes a delayed draw credit feature of up to $100 million (about $90 million remaining) to support fleet expansion, which could be important if cash burn persists outside normal seasonality.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Adjusted EBITDA financial
return-to-service work financial
Super Scooper technical
delayed draw feature financial
IDIQ regulatory
non-GAAP financial measures financial
Earnings Snapshot
For full-year 2026, Bridger Aerospace guides to $135M–$145M in revenue and $55M–$60M in Adjusted EBITDA, described as 14% revenue growth at the midpoint and 29% excluding 2025 return-to-service revenue.