Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Rain, a leader in autonomous wildfire containment technology, successfully showcased the capabilities of an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter in tackling wildfires during a live demonstration.
Using Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy flight system and Rain’s wildfire mission software, the demonstration illustrated how the aircraft could autonomously launch, locate, and suppress small fires.
The event, part of a broader discussion on autonomous firefighting technologies, was attended by representatives from NASA, FEMA, DARPA, firefighting agencies, and philanthropic organisations.
During the 30-minute demonstration, the autonomous Black Hawk, equipped with a 60-foot Bambi Bucket, accurately performed three water drops to extinguish a propane-fueled fire. The fire, emitting flames between 3 to 6 inches, was successfully targeted despite challenging conditions, including an 8-to-10-knot crosswind.
Safety pilots were present in the cockpit but remained hands-off throughout the demonstration, showcasing the maturity of the technology. The event highlighted the potential of autonomous systems in situations deemed too dangerous for crewed aircraft, such as nighttime operations or turbulent and smoky conditions.
Rain CEO Maxwell Brodie underscored the importance of such advancements:
“Wildfires cost the United States over $390 billion annually, and multiple risk factors are set to grow up to 30% by 2030. Autonomous aircraft can stop fires from breaking out or continue the fight in conditions where crewed aircraft wouldn’t venture.”
Sikorsky Innovations’ Igor Cherepinsky explained the significance:
“With Rain’s wildfire mission software loaded onto the aircraft and a tablet, firefighters could search for and attack wildfires before they spread out of control.”
Rain and Sikorsky are now preparing for further trials in dynamic conditions to refine and expand the system’s capabilities.
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