Airbus has successfully completed a first-of-its-kind trial demonstrating the power of digital integration in forest firefighting. By linking aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground personnel through advanced communication and data processing systems, the company achieved highly accurate water drops and significantly reduced the time between fire detection and extinguishment.
The trial, conducted at the Garrigues military camp in Nîmes, France, mobilized significant resources. These included an Airbus H130 FlightLab helicopter, an ATR 72 test aircraft, a Cirrus SR20 light aircraft, four drones (including an Airbus Aliaca), and three fire service lorries. A local private mobile network, connected to Airbus’s Agnet critical communication solution, interconnected the entire system.
Working with the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service and the Entente Valabre—a French authority on firefighting equipment—Airbus developed realistic scenarios. During these tests, drones and the light aircraft captured real-time infrared imagery of a simulated fire. This data was transmitted to Airbus servers and a ground-based command center, where it was analyzed, geolocated, and merged with satellite data, wind measurements, and firefighter locations. AI-powered processing created a unified tactical view, enabling precise flight paths and water drop points to be sent to the H130 helicopter—equipped with a precision drop system—and the ATR 72, acting as a water bomber.
Unveiled at the Aerial Firefighting Conference in Rome (March 24–26, 2026), the trial marks a milestone in Airbus’s development of a comprehensive firefighting ecosystem. This ecosystem integrates aerial assets—including the A400M firefighting kit, helicopters, and reconnaissance drones—with interconnected command-and-control systems to enhance coordination between ground and air crews.
These solutions support both direct and indirect firefighting missions while aligning with Airbus’s commitment to decarbonization and addressing the growing global challenge of forest fires.
