The UK sees an average of 30,000 wildfires each year, providing a perfect opportunity for today’s sophisticated autonomous unmanned aircraft to deliver a revolutionary alternative. Flying together in a swarm to scope out wildfires and release retardant, UAVs promise to improve the UK’s response capability. Recently the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service partnered with UAV manufacturer Windracers on a project1 to assess their performance.

Image: Windracers ULTRA, twin-engine UAV with a 100kg payload and a 9.5m wingspan

Among the many benefits of deploying UAVs to tackle wildfires, three highlights are:

• Speed: UAVs can use swarm intelligence to coordinate group flying over large areas, each aircraft covering up to 600km at an 80mph cruise speed in the case of Windracers’ ULTRA. UAVs can detect fires, assess the threat and deploy countermeasures faster than the terrestrial response and before the fire has a chance to grow out of control.
• Coverage: Advanced thermal and optical imaging enables accurate detection over long distances. With 30,000 wildfires each year, it’s important to reduce the likelihood of fires going undetected. The ability of some UAVs to refuel while others remain airborne enables continuous coverage.
• Safety and deterrence: UAVs can help remove human firefighters from dangerous situations​ and empower them to focus on other threats. Additionally, the presence of firefighting UAVs could act as a deterrent against arson or careless activity.

For insurers, talk of ‘AI drone swarms’ can carry negative connotations which can heighten sensitivity toward risks involving autonomous decisions. However, many applications of autonomous UAVs harness the technology for good. Firefighting is an example of how positive, life-saving missions can be performed more effectively and with reduced risk, showcasing how advanced aviation technologies can extend powerful benefits to society.

Image: Windracers

1 https://windracers.com/lancashire-fire-and-rescue-use-windracers-ultra-for-wildfire-prevention/

ATA is a global specialist in insurance for advanced technologies across the aerospace, defence, energy, industrial, transportation, and technology sectors.

Welcome to ATA →
Explore our Insurance Products →
Contact an Underwriter →

atains.com