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.


At the UK Defence Journal, we aim to deliver accurate and timely news on defence matters. We rely on the support of readers like you to maintain our independence and high-quality journalism. Please consider making a one-off donation to help us continue our work. Click here to donate. Thank you for your support!

Lisa West
Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.

2 COMMENTS

  1. The whole autonomous weapon idea needs to be given a rethink in light of the various jamming technologies being fielded in Ukraine. It’s one thing losing a couple of hundred pound drone to jamming/ electronic warfare, quiet another losing a blackhawk worth tens of millions. Ok jamming isn’t 100% or close to that successful but doesn’t have to be when the assets cost that much.

    It feels like there needs to be a serious rethink in a lot of technology solutions currently being developed, most of which were started to be talked about in the 90s, but things have moved on but feels like western military thinking hasn’t quiet yet.

    • Defence is an industry to make money for companies, it has little to do with actual defence of the state. And at the moment AI and unmanned are the latest buzz words.

      I have similar misgiving about unmanned submarine technology. Submarines work because they have a crew inside them and AI today is very dumb. But if I were in the submarine technology business I would have to be pushing product that utilized AI or is unmanned.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here