NASA and FAA Collaborate to Develop Innovative Technologies for Wildland Fire Management

The frequency and scale of wildland fires have been on the rise in recent years, prompting NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to join forces to create a research transition team focused on advancing wildland fire technology. Based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, the Wildland Fire Airspace Operations research transition team will be responsible for developing and testing innovative concepts and technologies to enhance airspace integration in the fight against wildland fires.

One of the challenges faced by current aerial firefighting operations is the restriction on flying during times of poor visibility, which can hinder response efforts. Drones have the potential to overcome this limitation by allowing responders to monitor and suppress fires remotely, even during nighttime or in conditions of heavy smoke. However, to fully leverage the capabilities of drones in wildland fire management, advanced airspace management technologies are required to ensure safe operation and coordination with other aircraft.

Over the next four years, NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, in collaboration with the FAA, will focus on developing new airspace access and traffic management concepts and technologies to support wildland fire operations. These developments will not only benefit the current approach to wildland fire management but will also contribute to shaping the future of firefighting strategies. The team will test and validate uncrewed aircraft technologies for potential use by both commercial industry and government agencies, paving the way for their integration into future wildland fire operations.

The ACERO project falls under NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and aims to drive innovation in emergency response operations through the advancement of airspace technologies. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both NASA and the FAA, the research transition team is poised to make significant strides in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of wildland fire management practices.