Author(s)

D. Benavente

Abstract

Rapid detection systems and other surveillance and real-time monitoring systems have become more and more a reality in recent years. The information generated is very useful for avoiding risks and to optimally manage the available firefighting resources. However, there are lots of scenarios for which a rapid and effective response is not possible because of strong winds, the absence of daylight or difficulty in gaining access to a specific location with conventional aerial assets. This paper presents a new forest fire suppression tool capable of handling all these factors: Flamingo (Forest fLAMes INtelliGent Outputter), a low-cost semi-expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with a single-use deposit loaded with fire retardants. Keywords: Flamingo, forest fire suppression technology, civil UAV, guided bomb, severe winds, night operations, Veronte, autopilot. 1 Introduction In recent years technology has been entering the forest fire world with rapid detection systems, real-time monitoring systems, etc. These systems can indeed contribute to the avoidance of risks and elaborate optimal suppression strategies thanks to the information they provide. What we are presenting here is technology applied to the suppression area. Our approach tries to fill the gap left by conventional aerial means whose operation is too dangerous in the presence of strong winds and/or during nighttime. This gap has been also targeted by other systems like PCADS [4]. Night operation in particular is one of the key points identified for the near future by many forest fire aerial contractors.

Keywords

Flamingo, forest fire suppression technology, civil UAV, guided bomb, severe winds, night operations, Veronte, autopilot