Browse Topic: Fire fighting
The design, testing, and analysis of a Guided Autorotative Delivery System (GADS) for suppression of incipient wildfires is described. The GADS consists of an unpowered 1 m diameter rotor, a control unit, and a payload of 2.2 kg of fire suppressant powder. On release from a fixed-wing UAV, the rotor passively deploys and enters autorotation, decelerating the payload and allowing precise delivery of the suppressant using cyclic pitch control. A numerical model of the system was developed to calculate the trajectory of the GADS during rotor deployment and descent, in the presence of ambient wind and cyclic pitch inputs. A reduced-scale model of the rotor was tested in a wind tunnel, and an uncontrolled full-scale, 1.5 kg prototype of the GADS was fabricated and tested by dropping from a hovering quadcopter as well as a fixed-wing UAV. The full-scale drop experiments validated the deployment and autorotation stability of the system, and demonstrated that the GADS maintains descent velocities suitable for incipient fire suppression (≈ 5 m/s). Numerical predictions indicate that the GADS descent trajectory can be controlled with cyclic pitch in an ambient crosswind of at least 5 m/s (10 kts). Measurements captured during the drop tests using onboard instrumentation show good qualitative agreement with numerical predictions. Future work will include drop tests with remotely controlled cyclic pitch, followed by fully autonomous controlled descent. The study establishes design guidelines for guided autorotative systems and illustrates their potential for scalable UAV-based wildfire suppression or emergency response.
Flight simulations are critical for aerial firefighting training, but realistic modelling of aircraft-atmosphere interactions within fire scenarios is particularly challenging. To this end, a two-way-coupled flight simulation system, the Daedalus I framework, has been developed at the University of Glasgow for helicopter firefighting research applications. This paper presents the initial results from flight experiments conducted with different coupling schemes between the rotorcraft model and the GPU-accelerated Lattice Boltzmann atmosphere model within the system. The two-way coupling scheme was first validated using an isolated, transient rotor case. To quantify differences in pilot control and strategy between the two-way, fully-coupled rotor-atmosphere method and two (2) one-way, superposition-based coupling methods, a series of flight experiments were conducted using the bimodal modification of the McRuer pilot model representing human pilot controls, in conjunction with objective performance metrics. The results highlighted noticeable changes in helicopter behaviours and pilot responses across the three tested coupling methods, with the two-way coupling method showing the most resistance to the generated fire disturbance.
From a quick access port to help firefighters fight EV battery fires faster to preventing public charger vandalism, here are some safety developments that haven't made the big headlines. Most of the news surrounding EV technological development in the past year has been around batteries and charging capacity. But engineers have also been busy working on security and safety issues, from charging stations to finding ways for firefighters to better douse fires. We've rounded up a few of the most notable and novel efforts below.
This document is reissued for application to helicopters.
The emergence of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) air vehicles is transforming how people and freight are moved in short distances. This transformation has a profound impact on surrounding infrastructure necessary to provide Aircraft On Ground support for eVTOLs. The hover capabilities of eVTOLs have similar operating characteristics within terminal and uncontrolled airspace. However, the need to conserve battery energy via rapid approaches and departures affects terminal airspace management. To attract eVTOL operators, existing airports, landing zones, and vertiports are modifying their infrastructure to include fixed electric charging stations, additional taxiways, upgraded fire suppression systems, separate hangers, and capable MRO facilities. Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS) is the base airport for the annual Masters Golf Tournament which experiences five times the normal airport traffic and some 40,000 commuting patrons. eVTOLs can offset land traffic issues associated with commuters and supplies. Since KAGS is centroid to 32,000 square miles of territory void of major highways, basing eVTOLs can offer expedited transit services for people and goods which will have a profound impact on the economic viability and quality of life in the area.
This study numerically investigates the relationship between airspeed, drop height, and ground water coverage during helicopter-based aerial firefighting. With the effect of global warming and human activities the threat of forest fires has increased and finding optimal water dumping strategies for effective suppression is a crucial part of the firefighting operations. How varying airspeed and water drop height influence water dispersion and ground coverage has been analyzed utilizing numerical simulations with the VOF model in STAR-CCM+. Findings show that to maximize firefighting efficiency, balancing two contradicting phenomena is essential. These are, minimizing ineffective mist formation due to high drop height/high airspeed and fueling of the fire from rotor downwash due to low height/low airspeed passing by over the fire zone.
With the exponential rise in drone activity, safely managing low-flying airspace has become challenging — especially in highly populated areas. Just last month an unauthorized drone collided with a ‘Super Scooper’ aircraft above the Los Angeles wildfires, grounding the aircraft for several days and hampering the firefighting efforts.
Nowadays, there are many technologies emerging like firefighting robots, quadcopters, and drones which are capable of operating in hazardous disaster scenarios. In recent years, fire emergencies have become an increasingly serious problem, leading to hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and the destruction of property worth millions of dollars. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recorded approximately 1,218 fire incidents resulting in 1,694 deaths in 2020 alone. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that fires account for around 265,000 deaths each year, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The existing fire-extinguishing systems are often inefficient and lack proper testing, causing significant delays in firefighting efforts. These delays become even more critical in situations involving high-rise buildings or bushfires, where reaching the affected areas is particularly challenging. The leading causes of fires include electrical faults, open flames, and negligence, with a notable percentage stemming from cooking-related incidents. This research introduces a prototype of a quadcopter designed to extinguish fires, which is equipped with a mechanism for releasing balls. The prototype utilizes experimental items to mimic fire-suppressing balls, establishing a basis for potential applications in firefighting technology.
Advancing technology has driven continuous improvements across most aspects of human endeavors. In the time since the first modern helicopter flew in 1939, the world has seen inventions like the microwave, personal computers, cell phones, and the internet. If helicopters predate these society-changing innovations, then it stands to reason that the manner in which helicopters operate has drastically shifted as well. Specifically, this paper reviews historical concepts of operations (CONOPS) in rotorcraft aerial firefighting and analyzes where technology advancements have made an impact on firefighting operations and the performance of helicopters in suppressing fires. These shifts were evaluated using analytical assessments and highlighting snapshots in time of how capability impacted the aerial firefighting mission effectiveness. As companies innovate and technology advances, further benefits to rotorcraft CONOPS in aerial firefighting will be realized.
The mission of VAERA (VTOL Analysis for Emergency Response Applications) is to enable the design, development, and analysis of emergency response rotorcraft for different disaster scenarios. The project's current focus is on improving crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft for wildfire relief efforts. This paper presents background information on the current state of the art for wildfire-fighting crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft, current wildfire operations, handling and flying qualities considerations of similar vehicles, and the limitations of uncrewed sub-1000 lb commercial off the shelf (COTS) rotorcraft that could be (and sometimes are) used for different wildfire missions. Technology gaps that are currently limiting rotorcraft firefighting capabilities are identified using the background information, and a plan of how to address each of the identified technology gaps is presented. In this paper, the key technology gaps identified for rotorcraft in the wildfire environment include: poor performance and handling/flying qualities, inadequate or nonexistent categorization of handling qualities, unvalidated flight dynamics turbulence modeling approaches, and inadequate subsystems for wildfire missions. While numerous concerns for rotorcraft operating in the wildfire environment exist, this paper focuses on those issues that are either not being addressed by others, or that require more attention. The goals of this paper are to both educate the public on critical technology gaps for wildfirefighting rotorcraft that have not gained significant traction in the public domain, and to explain the work required to address those technology gaps.
This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) provides general information to aircraft engineers, regarding the types of Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) configurations which are available, the intended functions of such equipment, and the technical approaches which may be used in accomplishing these functions. The term "PBE" or "Protective Breathing Equipment" has been used to refer to various types of equipment, which are used in a variety of applications. This way of using the terminology has been a source of confusion in the aviation industry. One objective of this AIR is to assist the reader in distinguishing between the types of PBE applications. A further objective is to assist in understanding the technical approaches which can be used in each of the major applications. Principles of PBE design are reviewed briefly. However, discussion of specific performance specifications and information regarding the details of manufacture and testing of such equipment is beyond the scope of this document.
From humble beginnings in the 1940s, helicopters have become an integral part of managing and fighting wildfires throughout the world. Starting in the 1950s and over the next several decades, various government agencies increased the utilization of helicopters in their management of wildfires across the US and deployed new technologies. One of the most impactful technologies developed was using a slung bucket to dump water. Initially using repurposed construction and agricultural equipment, these early generation buckets were dipped in sources of water and released using a simple mechanical gate system. In parallel with these early generation buckets, the technique of long-line operations were being perfected that allowed flight crews to increase separation from terrain and increased control of the external load. Over the next several decades, these buckets were steadily improved and incorporated into firefighting operations across the work. In addition, the use of long lines for external loads allowed the use of remote water sources and increased precision water drops. In 1982, Don Arney developed the ubiquitous "Bambi Bucket." This bucket was innovative in many ways: easily scalable, lightweight, collapsible, stowable, and reduced drag. Today, helicopters have become the main aerial resource to fight wildfires across the world. Furthermore, helicopters outfitted with Bambi Buckets account for 90% of all firefighting operations.
A smart device with an infrared light emitting diode (LED) that is tunable to different wavelengths of light could enable a refrigerator to tell when food is spoiled. The device could identify a suite of gases, potentially including lethal ones, improving the safety of firefighters, miners, the military, and plumbers.
Smoldering peat fires are the largest fires on Earth. They ignite very easily, are notoriously difficult to put out, and release up to 100 times more carbon into the atmosphere than flaming fires, contributing to climate change. These fires are known as “zombie fires” for their ability to hide and smolder underground and then reanimate as new flames days or weeks after the wildfire had been extinguished.
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) outlines recommended ramp pavement marking standards for proper guidance and positioning of GSE on commercial transport aircraft parking and handling stands (gates), in line with International Civil Aviation (ICAO) recommendations applicable to airport aprons. Throughout this document, the minimum essential criteria are identified by use of the key word “shall”. Recommended criteria are identified by use of the key word “should” and, while not mandatory, are considered to be of primary importance in providing safety effective ramp markings. Deviation from recommended criteria should only occur after careful consideration and thorough service evaluation have shown alternate methods to provide an equivalent level of safety.
Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One promising application for these innovative systems is in firefighting support during urban, rural, and wildland firefighting operations. Future eVTOL firefighting capabilities could include early detection and suppression, civilian rescue, and on-demand aerial deployment and extraction of firefighters. Unsettled Issues Concerning eVTOL for Rapid-response, On-demand Firefighting identifies the challenges to be addressed so that these capabilities and benefits could be realized at scale: Firefighting-specific eVTOL vehicle development Sense and avoid capabilities in smoke-inhibited environments Autonomous and remote operating capabilities Charging system compatibility and availability Operator and controller training Dynamic air space management Vehicle/fleet logistics and support First-responder and general public acceptance Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was founded in 1865 and is the nation’s third-oldest private technological university. Located in Worcester, MA, WPI fosters research in areas from tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, to exploration of the technological and policy issues surrounding cybersecurity, to studies of issues as diverse as firefighter health and security and the fire safety challenges of green buildings.
Spinoff is NASA's annual publication featuring successfully commercialized NASA technology. This commercialization has contributed to the development of products and services in the fields of health and medicine, consumer goods, transportation, public safety, computer technology, and environmental resources.
Columbia Helicopters, Inc. was founded in 1957 by Wes Lematta. Lematta wanted to find a use for helicopters other than transporting people, and with that vision, built a company that spurred the industry of heavy-lift helicopter operations. In the early years of the company, operations included construction and helilogging. Columbia was one of the first successful helilogging companies in the world. In 1969, Columbia purchased its first tandem rotor helicopter, a Boeing-Vertol 107-II. Today, the company's fleet consists entirely of tandem rotor helicopters. Columbia holds the Type Certificates and Parts Only Production Certificates for the Model 107-II and the Model 234. Columbia also owns a Restricted Type Certificate for the Model CH-47D Chinooks. The company uses these three aircraft models to complete a variety of heavy-lift operations including firefighting, logging, government services, construction, stream work, oil and gas exploration, and humanitarian support. As the demands of the industry evolved, so has Columbia, by shifting focus of company operations from helilogging to firefighting and other government services.
Columbia Helicopters, Inc, (CHI) has procured several military-surplus CH-47D helicopters for use in heavy-lift operations, including fire-fighting and other external lift operations. For decades, CHI has successfully utilized Direct Visual Operational Control (DVOC) to precisely control the load at the end of a long line. The key to DVOC is the use of a bubble window at both pilot and co-pilot positions on the aircraft, which allows the pilot flying the aircraft to see the load directly. CHI designed, manufactured, tested, and qualified a replacement cockpit door to hold a bubble window in the CH-47D. The new doorframe is made of carbon-fiber epoxy composite, holds an 18-inch-deep bubble window in the upper section, and holds a sliding ventilation window in the lower section. An abbreviated composite building block test was completed to prove the structure, and flight test was used to determine the optimal flight attitude to evacuate the cockpit of smoke.
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