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NASA will conduct a live flight test of aircraft performing simulated wildland fire response operations using a newly developed airspace management system at 9 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, March 25, in Salinas, California.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s new portable airspace management system, part of the agency\u2019s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, aims to significantly expand the window of time crews have to respond to wildland fires. The system provides the air traffic awareness needed to safely send aircraft \u2013 including drones and remotely piloted helicopters \u2013 into wildland fire operations, even during low-visibility conditions. Current aerial firefighting operations are limited to times when pilots have clear visibility, which lowers the risk of flying into the surrounding terrain or colliding with other aircraft. This restriction grounds most aircraft at night and during periods of heavy smoke.<\/p>\n
During this inaugural flight test,\u00a0researchers will use\u00a0the airspace management system to coordinate the flight operations of two small drones, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft,\u00a0and a remotely piloted aircraft that will have a backup pilot aboard. The drones and aircraft will execute examples of critical tasks for wildland fire management, including weather data sharing, simulated aerial ignition flights, and communications relay.<\/p>\n
Media interested in viewing the ACERO flight testing must RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday, March 21, to the NASA Ames Office of Communications by email at: arc-dl-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov or by phone at 650-604-4789. NASA will release additional details, including address and arrival logistics, to media credentialed for the event. A copy of NASA\u2019s\u00a0media accreditation policy\u00a0is online.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s ACERO researchers will use data from the flight test to refine the airspace management system. The project aims to eventually provide this technology to wildland fire crews for use in the field, helping to save lives and property. This project is managed at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n
For more information on ACERO, visit:<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Rob Margetta Hillary Smith
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
robert.j.margetta@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley
650-604-4789
hillary.smith@nasa.gov<\/p>\n<\/div>\n