Airbus has completed a first-of-its-kind trial using digital technology to improve how forest fires are fought.
The test connected aircraft, helicopters, drones, and ground crews through a shared communication and data system. This allowed teams to deliver more accurate water drops and respond faster from fire detection to extinguishing flames.
The trial used multiple resources, including a helicopter, two aircraft, four drones, and ground vehicles from local fire services. Airbus also set up a private mobile network and used its Agnet communication system to link all teams in real time.
During the exercise, drones and a light aircraft captured live images of the fire area, including infrared footage. The data was sent to a mobile command center, where it was analyzed along with satellite images, weather conditions, and firefighter locations. Artificial intelligence then created a real-time overview and helped guide aircraft on where and how to drop water.
The tests were conducted with partners, including local fire services and Entente Valabre, at a military site in southern France.
Airbus presented the project at the 2026 Aerial Firefighting Conference in Rome. The company says the trial is an important step toward building a connected system that improves coordination between air and ground teams.
The project is part of Airbus’s broader efforts to develop tools to fight wildfires more effectively, as such fires become more frequent worldwide.
