NASA’s Cutting-Edge Airspace Management System: A Game Changer for Wildland Firefighting
In an impressive stride toward enhancing the efficiency and safety of wildland firefighting operations, NASA has been validating an innovative airspace management system that promises to revolutionize how aerial firefighting is conducted, especially under challenging conditions. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to empower crews to operate aircraft around the clock, even in poor visibility scenarios, such as thick smoke or nighttime, which have traditionally posed significant hurdles.
From March 17 to March 28, NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project deployed a team of researchers to strategic locations in the Sierra de Salinas mountains foothills in Monterey County, California. The primary objective was to test and validate a new portable system capable of managing airspace effectively under suboptimal visual conditions. The ultimate goal is to overcome one of the significant barriers in aerial firefighting support.
The Promise of ACERO
NASA’s ACERO project is part of the agency’s broader mission to leverage its aviation expertise to address real-world challenges. According to Carol Carroll, the deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, the ACERO technology represents a critical advancement in saving lives and protecting property when wildfires threaten communities. The technology offers responders new tools to monitor and combat fires more effectively.
One of the longstanding challenges in wildland fire situations is managing airspace and air traffic, especially when visibility is compromised. Currently, aerial firefighting operations are largely dependent on clear visibility conditions. This requirement is because a Tactical Air Group Supervisor, often referred to as an "air boss," needs to provide guidance from a piloted aircraft. Without clear visibility, the risk of collisions increases significantly, making it unsafe for pilots to operate.
The ACERO initiative aims to provide this "air boss" capability for remotely piloted aircraft operations, enabling users to manage these operations from the ground. The project’s Portable Airspace Management System (PAMS) is a compact, suitcase-sized solution that builds on decades of NASA’s research in air traffic and airspace management. The PAMS units enable pilots to view the positions and intentions of other aircraft, even in challenging conditions like dense smoke or during nighttime operations.
Successful Testing in Challenging Conditions
During the testing phase in Salinas, researchers assessed the core functions of PAMS, such as strategic coordination and the system’s ability to automatically alert pilots if their aircraft deviates from preapproved paths or exits a simulated fire operation zone. This capability is crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency in aerial firefighting missions.
Using the PAMS prototype, researchers safely conducted flight operations involving a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operated by Overwatch Aero, LLC, based in Solvang, California, along with two small NASA drones. In a simulated wildfire scenario, the Overwatch aircraft connected with two PAMS units situated in different locations. Despite being separated by mountains and valleys with limited cellular service, the PAMS units successfully shared and displayed a simulated fire zone, aircraft locations, flight plans, and flight intents. This was made possible by a radio communications relay established by the Overwatch aircraft.
The successful operation in a rural mountain range environment validated that PAMS could function effectively in an actual wildland fire scenario. Dr. Min Xue, the ACERO project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, emphasized the importance of real-world testing. According to Dr. Xue, while testing in mountainous environments presents numerous challenges, it provides significantly more valuable insights compared to lab-based testing. The successful tests have not only validated the system’s capabilities but also highlighted areas for future enhancement.
Enhancing Fire Management Techniques
The PAMS system was also utilized by pilots on the ground to coordinate drones that performed flights simulating aerial ignition. Aerial ignition involves setting controlled, intentional fires to manage vegetation, which can help control larger fires and reduce the risk of wildland fires. This technique is a crucial component of effective wildfire management strategies.
As part of the testing process, Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California, flew its remotely piloted aircraft, which is similar in size to a Cessna Grand Caravan, over the testing site. The PAMS system successfully exchanged aircraft locations and flight intents with Joby’s mission management system. This test marked the first successful interaction between PAMS and an optionally piloted aircraft, showcasing the system’s versatility and adaptability.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
The testing phase also saw the participation of fire chiefs from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), who provided valuable feedback on the system’s functionality. They discussed features that could enhance wildland fire air traffic coordination and explored the potential for integrating PAMS into operational frameworks. Marcus Hernandez, the deputy chief for CAL FIRE’s Office of Wildfire Technology, expressed appreciation for NASA’s efforts in developing portable airspace management capabilities. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies in addressing safety and regulatory challenges alongside technological advancements.
Building on successful tests conducted in Watsonville, California, in November 2024, these latest flights represent a significant step forward in the development of PAMS. NASA plans to utilize flight test data and feedback from wildland fire agencies to further enhance PAMS capabilities. The goal is to showcase more robust information-sharing capabilities in the coming years.
The Vision Ahead
NASA’s ultimate objective for the ACERO project is to validate this technology for field use by wildland fire crews, with the aim of saving lives and property. The project is managed by NASA’s Airspace Operations and Safety Program and supports the agency’s Advanced Air Mobility mission. This initiative represents a critical advancement in leveraging technology to address real-world challenges, offering a promising future where wildland firefighting can be conducted more safely and efficiently, even under challenging conditions.
For more information on NASA’s ACERO project and its advancements in airspace management technology, you can visit NASA’s official website.
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