The Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system operates as a nighttime surveillance platform for firefighting missions in Oregon, targeting the three Ds: dust, debris and dormant embers.
An Oregon-based operator deploys the 25 kg Group 2 vertical take-off and landing UAS to detect invisible hot spots after sunset. Equipped with infrared sensors, it guides ground teams via radio to extinguish these embers, confirming fires are fully out while crews rest.
The Flexrotor maintains continuous watch until dawn, when it hands off to manned assets. Its payload includes stabilized camera gimbals like Hood Techs Alticam series for day and night imaging, enabling endurance of 12-14 hours or more in typical configurations.
Operators anticipate expansion to initial attack missions, pairing the drone with Super Puma helicopters responding to lightning strikes. In this setup, the Flexrotor would identify small embers early. Rath, a project representative, described a seamless digital handover: the drone could laser-designate hot spots for pilots using night vision goggles or transmit GPS coordinates directly to an H215 helicopter for automated precision water drops.
This teaming approach addresses the persistent threat of fires burning after dark, enhancing tactical response in wildfire management.