Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team

Researcher Alex Marangides with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

This is an example of one of 5 unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, assigned to conduct research in wildland fire situations where a regular planes cannot operate. The planes are equipped with visible and infrared cameras, and can measure air temperature, windspeed, and relative humidity.

UAV Launching Platform

The UAV platform can be mounted on any suitable truck. Plane flight is normally controlled by autopilot, but Gene Robinson of RP Search Services serves as a backup pilot and is required to keep it in sight at all times.* He can take over control of the plane if necessary.

Taking a Break Between Flights

The UAV is gasoline-powered, and can loiter (stay in the air) for over 4 hours.

Ruddy Mell Monitors Data Collection in Real-Time

Ruddy Mell (right), FERA's principal investigator on the WFDS project, is watching streaming images from the visible or infrared camera on the UAV. Mike Henning (left), of San Diego State University, is controlling the plane's systems (authopilot).

Mike Henning Running UAV Autopilot

This half of the trailer contains the control room for the planes, while the other half stores the planes, generator, and tools.

Overview

Development Status

Validation Studies

Field Data Collection

Lab Experiments

Simulation Models