Collaboration between Multiple UAVs for Fire Detection and Suppression

This paper presents the use of two UAVs to detect and suppress fires. The first UAV is the detection system and begins the mission by autonomously flying a predetermined route while scanning an area of interest. The UAV is equipped with an infrared sensor for fire detection and a LiDAR for obstacle detection. The fire intensity and fire location information collected by the detection UAV is then relayed to the suppression UAV to start the next phase of the mission. The second UAV features a suppression system capable of suppressing localized fires using a bucket carrying a retardant appropriate for the mission. It will then navigate autonomously to the desired location, and deploy the suppressant. Development of UAV platforms and experimental results including flight test results are shown.