Autonomous Firefighting Aircraft (AFA) Concept and Remote Unstaffed Heliport Site Selections

The Autonomous Firefighting Aircraft (AFA) concept is a state-of-the-art, theoretical model that proposes the physical implementation of a fleet of aircraft operating from a network of strategic locations that can autonomously and rapidly respond to growing wildfires in real-time, using the latest drone and satellite technology (FireSat) as support. The study presents a system design approach and methodology for identifying the optimal locations of air attack bases for the complex web of aircraft that can be activated in the event of fire detection within an agency’s responsibility area. While the study uses the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as a case study, the model is developed with broad applicability across the western United States and Canada. This conceptual model introduces aircraft and the proposed system’s behavior, which is crucial to understanding the infrastructure necessary to support these widespread, autonomous operations. The model encapsulates key technical and physical considerations for the site selection process of air attack bases, assuming the required technology for this autonomous aircraft system is already fully developed and ready to be adopted by government wildfire initiatives. The study utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool to create a dynamic framework that incorporates temporal and spatial data to address geographical and planning challenges. Using Suitability Analysis and Network Analysis, a collection of spatial maps is generated. These maps provide efficient guidance for the placement of air attack bases, taking into account the fleet’s operational requirements and the physical characteristics of the land, such as vegetation, slopes, and facilities.