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We successfully validated our FIRST system during a recent flight test at Rutledge Airborne, marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation situational awareness technology for wildland firefighting operations.
Our FIRST system provides air and ground crews with a shared operational picture, improving coordination, decision-making, and mission effectiveness during wildfire response. The flight test focused on validating core system performance in a realistic airborne environment, including aircraft tracking, mesh network connectivity, water drop assessment, and pilot-facing user experience.
A key achievement was the successful execution and tracking of a real water drop. Using custom Android-based software developed for the test, the FIRST mesh network tracked the aircraft’s GPS position in real time, recorded the water drop location, and measured drop distance relative to aircraft movement. This provided valuable validation data on system performance during operationally relevant firefighting maneuvers, not just controlled ground-based testing.
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FIRST System Flight Testing Successfully Validates Airborne Wildland Firefighting Capabilities
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06/08/2026
A few highlights from the flight test:
Reliable connectivity: Seamless mesh radio performance was maintained throughout the flight environment
Accurate data collection: Aircraft position, motion data, and water drop locations were successfully captured and validated
Operationally relevant testing: A live water drop enabled the team to assess system behavior during a representative wildfire mission scenario
Pilot-centered evaluation: Simulated fire units were incorporated into flight operations to gather feedback on pilot interaction and situational awareness
System reliability: Hardware, software, and interface components performed to specification throughout the test
The flight test also provided critical insights into user experience. By simulating active fire units during flight operations, the team assessed how information is presented to pilots in real time and identified opportunities to improve clarity, usability, and mission relevance.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Valley Air Tractor and Elliot Seguin, an Experimental Test Pilot for their support. From providing aircraft access to developing custom inspection plates, their partnership was key to success.
The team is now focused on incorporating lessons learned, refining the pilot and operator experience, and getting ready for production-ready deployment.
About Systems Technology, Inc.
We empower people to safely operate complex systems. With nearly 70 years of expertise in human-machine interaction, STI's research-backed solutions enhance assessment, training, and human performance across aerospace, defense, and clinical applications.
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