Israel has launched a new drone and artificial intelligence project aimed at detecting wildfires within minutes of ignition, as rising temperatures and extreme weather increase fire risks, according to TPS-IL.
The system, mounted on IAI’s APUS 25 vertical takeoff and landing drone, combines infrared and optical sensors with AI-powered image analysis to identify fires and pinpoint their location with meter-level accuracy across hundreds of square kilometers. Following a successful first flight test, additional trials are planned before the technology enters operational use.
The initiative brings together the Ministry of National Security, the Israel Innovation Authority, the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority, the Technion, and state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
