Airbus breakthrough in forest firefighting with integrated air-and-ground response trial

Airbus has just successfully completed a unique first-of-its-kind trial in forest firefighting. By linking aircraft, helicopters, drones and ground personnel via communication and data processing systems, Airbus has demonstrated the ability to carry out highly accurate water drops and significantly reduce the time between fire detection and extinguishment.

The trial mobilized significant resources, including the Airbus H130 FlightLab helicopter, two aircraft, an ATR 72 test aircraft, and a Cirrus SR20 light aircraft, four drones, including an Airbus Aliaca, and three lorries from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Le Gard to collect and process data. To interconnect the entire system, Airbus deployed a local private mobile network bubble in the area, connected to Agnet, the mission-critical communication solution developed by Airbus for security and emergency services.

These tests were carried out by Airbus and its partners at the Garrigues military camp in Nîmes (France), based on scenarios developed with Departmental Fire and Rescue Services (SDIS) as well as the Entente Valabre, a public body empowered by the French Ministry of the Interior to assess forest firefighting equipment, provide training for personnel in France and abroad, and which is recognised as an international authority.

During the tests, two drones and the light aircraft captured images of the fire area, including infrared footage, and transmitted them in real time to Airbus servers connected to a command center aboard a ground vehicle.

The images were analyzed, geolocated and merged with data, including satellite imagery, considering the terrain, wind strength and direction measured by a drone, and the location of firefighters on the ground.

Next, AI-powered data processing systems produced a comprehensive view of the tactical situation on the ground and in the air, and enabled flight paths and water-drop points to be transmitted to the helicopter equipped with a precision water-drop assistance system and to the ATR72, which was simulating a water bomber.

This initial trial marks a significant milestone in Airbus’s efforts to develop a test environment and a comprehensive ecosystem for combating forest fires.

Thanks to communication and data processing systems, solutions are now being integrated to significantly enhance efficiency between ground and air crews.