Textron Systems recently worked with the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to provide support and equipment during a wildfire response in Idaho.

The Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System provided real-time situational awareness and data support, according to the news release, and was flown in the Tepee Springs area where tens of thousands of acres were involved with or threatened by wildfire activity. The drone gathered information on burn intensity, fuels and heat concentrations during the multi-day mission.

Textron also provided Remote Video Terminal products, according to the release, delivering images and situational awareness directly to personnel on the ground. The iCommand suite provided a command-and-control and visualization tool.

“Unmanned systems can operate where it may be unsafe or impractical for manned aircraft to fly,” said David Phillips, Vice President, Small/Medium-Endurance UAS David Phillips, according to the release. “Our Aerosonde aircraft is able to carry numerous sensors in a single flight, providing a variety of critical data points in real time, while personnel remain at a safe standoff distance. Quiet operation and a small equipment footprint also help support these time-critical response missions. It has been an honor for us to assist local and federal officials with this valuable demonstration on an issue that impacts so many of our Western states.”

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