Australia’s government supports development of AMSL Aero firefighting aircraft

The Cooperative Research Centres Projects program has provided A$3 million in funding for AMSL Aero to develop a remotely piloted version of Vertiia.

AMSL Aero has said it will work with its partners to develop a method of operating autonomous remotely piloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft for firefighting and modify a prototype Vertiia for use as a zero-emission low-cost firefighting craft. The company will test the aircraft in regional Australia. Its partners on the project are the University of Sydney, robotics company Mission Systems, and Australian firefighting aviation operator Pay’s Air Service.

The CEO of AMSL Aero, Max York, said: “We will develop a version of Vertiia that enables Rural Fire Service crews to prevent and put out fires remotely, using swarms of autonomous aircraft, like a hi-tech flying bucket brigade that can operate day and night, radically improving crew safety and significantly reducing crew fatigue. Vertiia’s compelling unit economics also mean we can operate more aircraft in more places, and because Vertiia is long range and zero emissions, it gives us the ability to stay on task longer and means we are not contributing to the climate change problems that are leading to more fires.”

AMSL Aero Co-Founder and Chief Engineer Andrew Moore added: “Although aerial firefighting is effective, high human costs and the current limit of daylight operating are significant drawbacks. Congested airspace, reduced visibility around fires, and the use of older aircraft create hazardous operating conditions.”

Considering the benefits of Vertiia, Ross Pay, Managing Director of Pay’s Air Service, said: “What will be invaluable is working the aircraft together so firefighters on the ground have continued support while we are reloading. They will be able to get in close to the fire in difficult conditions using Vertiias. The biggest advantage will be the ability to continue to fight fires at nighttime and assist the ground crews throughout the night.”

AMSL Aero recently received an order from Aviation Logistics for 10 of its Vertiia hydrogen-electric VTOLs to provide air medical, air cargo, and passenger services from its seven bases across Australia.