NASA will take a live flight test for planes carrying out response operations to the Forest Fire simulated using a newly developed airspace management system at 9 a.m. on Tuesday March 25 in Salinas, California.
The new portable NASA airspace management system, being part of the agency’s advanced capacity for emergency intervention operations (Acero) Project, aims to considerably extend the window of time that crews must respond to forest fires. The system provides awareness of air traffic necessary to send planes safely – including drones and helicopters controlled remotely – in forest fire operations, even during low visibility conditions. Current air fire operations are limited to times when pilots have clear visibility, which reduces the risk of flying in the surrounding land or launching with other planes. This restriction is at the earth most planes at night and during periods of heavy smoke.
During this inaugural flight test, researchers will use the airspace management system to coordinate the flight operations of two small drones, an electric vertical takeoff and an aircraft aircraft, and a remote control plane that will have a backup pilot on board. Dones and planes will perform examples of critical tasks for the management of forest fires, including the sharing of meteorological data, simulated air lighting flights and communication relays.
The media interested in consulting the ACERO flight test must RSVP before 4 p.m. Friday March 21 at the NASA Ames Communications Office by email to: arc-dl-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov or by phone at 650-604-4789. NASA will publish additional details, including address and arrival logistics, to the media granted for the event. A copy of NASA Media accreditation policy is online.
NASA ACERO researchers will use flight test data to refine the airspace management system. The project aims to possibly provide this technology to the forest fire teams for use in the field, helping to save lives and goods. This project is managed at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley in California.
For more information on Acero, visit:
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Rob Cargetta
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
Robert.j.Margetta@nasa.gov
Hillary Smith
Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley
650-604-4789
hillary.smith@nasa.gov