6 April/May 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Mission-critical info for uncrewed systems professionals Platform one Dryad in Germany is developing a UAV system that can detect and even extinguish fires before they take hold, writes Nick Flaherty. The company has developed a network of solar-powered gas sensors called Silvanet, linked by a low power, long range mesh wireless link to a series of gateways out in the forest. These gateways then use cellular or even direct satellite links to notify any emerging fire risks. This can identify an emerging forest fire in a matter of minutes. Now Dryad is adding a network of UAVs that can also be installed in the forest, triggered by the sensor network to find and monitor an emerging fire and even extinguish it. The Florian system is a solar-powered wireless charging base, or hangar, for an autonomous UAV equipped with new fire suppression technology. The dual propellor UAV has a wingspan of 91 cm and can carry a payload of 4 kg with a flight time of 60 minutes and a range of 56 km. This determines the spacing of the Florian hangar for the UAV to return autonomously. It uses an event driven camera for obstacle avoidance, with AI for the navigation through the trees. It also carries a thermal imaging camera for fire detection. The acoustic system uses low frequency pulses of infrasound to extinguish small wildfires before they have a chance to spread. Airborne vehicles Solar powered pod for UAV forest fire monitoring A solar-powered hangar will host an UAV to extinguish forest fires (Image courtesy of Dryad Networks)
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