NASA and FAA Form Joint Team to Advance Wildland Fire Technology with Drone Integration

NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have formed a joint research transition team focused on advancing wildland fire technology. Wildland fires have been increasing in frequency and scale in recent years, prompting the need for new technologies to help emergency responders prevent, monitor, and combat these fires more effectively. The Wildland Fire Airspace Operations research transition team will be responsible for developing and testing innovative concepts and technologies to improve airspace integration in the fight against wildland fires.

Current aerial firefighting operations face challenges such as restrictions on flying during times of poor visibility, which can hinder response efforts. Drones offer a potential solution by allowing responders to monitor and suppress fires remotely, even during nighttime or heavy smoke conditions. However, to fully leverage drones in wildland fire management, advanced airspace management technologies are necessary to ensure safe operation and coordination with other aircraft.

NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project will collaborate with the FAA over the next four years to develop new airspace access and traffic management concepts and technologies to support wildland fire operations. These developments will not only benefit current approaches to wildland fire management but also contribute to shaping future firefighting strategies.

The team will test uncrewed aircraft technologies for potential use by both commercial industry and government agencies, paving the way for their integration into future wildland fire operations. ACERO is based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley under the agency’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.

By leveraging NASA’s expertise and resources along with those of the FAA, this research transition team is well-positioned to make significant strides in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of wildland fire management practices.