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FireDrone Nears Field Use With Cast Aerogel Shell for 392°F Fires

A Swiss spin-off is testing the redesign to ready the system for commercialization.

Overview

  • The latest prototype replaces a multi-layer composite with a one-piece polyimide aerogel shell that encases and insulates the drone’s electronics.
  • An internal temperature-management system monitors components and activates cooling to enable roughly 10 minutes of operation at 392°F (200°C).
  • FireDrone has undergone trials at the Andelfingen training ground and at Holcim’s cement plant in Siggenthal.
  • The platform streams live thermal imagery, supports optional gas and temperature sensors, and is optimized for indoor GPS-denied navigation with pilot-assistance and localization systems.
  • FireDrone AG is building a portable thermally insulated docking and maintenance station with potential fire-truck integration and software to turn mission data into reports.