Airbus said on March 26 it had successfully completed a first-of-its-kind trial integrating aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground teams through digital communication and data-processing systems aimed at improving the speed and precision of forest firefighting operations.

The test, conducted in Nîmes in southern France, demonstrated how interconnected aerial and ground assets can help deliver more accurate water drops while reducing the time between detecting a fire and responding to it, according to the company’s statement.

Airbus said the trial mobilised a range of resources, including its H130 FlightLab helicopter and two aircraft—an ATR 72 test aircraft and a Cirrus SR20 light aircraft—along with four drones, among them the Airbus Aliaca, and support vehicles from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service of Le Gard (SDIS 30).

To connect the system, Airbus deployed a local private mobile network linked to Agnet, a mission-critical communication platform developed by the company for emergency and security services. The tests took place at the Garrigues military camp in Nîmes and were conducted with partners including regional fire services and Entente Valabre, a French public organisation tasked with evaluating forest firefighting equipment and training personnel.

During the scenarios, drones and the light aircraft captured imagery of simulated fire zones, including infrared footage, and transmitted the data in real time to Airbus servers connected to a mobile command centre. The images were analysed and geolocated, then combined with satellite imagery and other data such as terrain information, wind speed and direction measured by drones, and the positions of firefighters on the ground.

Airbus said artificial intelligence-based processing generated a comprehensive tactical overview of the situation in the air and on the ground. Based on that analysis, flight paths and optimal water-drop points were transmitted to the helicopter equipped with a precision drop assistance system, as well as to the ATR 72, which simulated the role of a water bomber aircraft.

The company unveiled the trial during the annual Aerial Firefighting Conference & Exhibition held in Rome from March 24 to 26, describing it as a milestone in its efforts to develop a testing environment and integrated ecosystem for combating wildfires.

Airbus noted that its broader wildfire response solutions include aircraft such as the A400M fitted with a firefighting kit, helicopters using water buckets, and reconnaissance drones, alongside new systems designed to improve coordination between air and ground crews through advanced communications and data processing.

Industry observers say such digital integration could enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness for firefighting agencies facing increasingly frequent and intense wildfires worldwide.

Airbus said it plans to continue developing and integrating these technologies as part of its wider initiatives addressing environmental challenges and improving emergency response capabilities.

Source: Press Release