It’s not just technology that has to advance to enable complex MUM-T firefighting operations. “The implementation of innovative technologies requires a creative regulatory framework and support from local governments to guide operations and enhance performance,” said the EHang spokesperson. In this company’s home country of China, the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have responded to this need by jointly issuing “Guidelines on Accelerating the Development of Emergency Robotics.” “The guidelines aim to enhance the unmanned and intelligent level of emergency management,” the EHang spokesperson said.
All this being said, the current use of ground-controlled drones as “eyes in the sky” is enhancing the ability of firefighting helicopters to execute their missions, resulting in a basic form of MUM-T that is delivering results today. In this context, “MUM-T in firefighting enhances operational effectiveness, allowing manned vehicles to leverage the strengths of unmanned systems, such as their ability to operate in adverse weather conditions and provide real- time thermal imaging,” said de Frutos. “This teaming approach enriches the commanders’ strategic options and improves overall fire containment strategies, providing a safer, more efficient, and more effective response to wildfire emergencies.”
Challenges
The concept of MUM-T is doable. One proof of its feasibility occurred in May 2022 when an unmanned (developed from a manned Bell 407 helicopter) flew situational awareness missions with a Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk from the USS Jackson (LCS 6) in the South China Sea.
“We had a lot of success with the Fire Scout...pushing relay distances out in excess of 100 miles, which is great news,” said Cmdr. Michael Winslow, commanding officer of Jackson’s Blue crew, during an Oct. 19, 2022 press call reported by DefenseDaily. com.
This being said, the kind of safe firefighting MUM-T imagined in this article requires a higher level of flight coordination. “Key to this development is not only the communication architectures and decision-making capabilities of autonomous systems, but also the advancement of human-machine interfaces,” de Frutos said. “These interfaces are crucial in ensuring that humans can fully comprehend and easily operate all aspects of unmanned assets. They facilitate seamless integration, allowing for real-time decision-making and enhanced situational awareness.”
“Interconnectivity is key to successful firefighting missions, as helicopters are just one part of the equation,” agreed Airbus’ Donahue. “Clear communication is needed between helicopters and others in the air, including drones and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as between helicopters and those on the ground.”
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