TECNALIA designs a high-capacity electric drone for fighting forest fires
- The applied research and technological development centre is involved this project, which is led by CLUE Technologies and funded by the CDTI, along with Aeromedia, Bastan, Drone Hopper, Helion and Telespazio, with technological support provided by CATEC and ITG
- The initiative represents a technological advance over current drones, as it features a system for creating fire breaks and extinguishing forest fires based on high-capacity unmanned aerial vehicles that can carry up to 600 kg
- TECNALIA has designed and validated a high-capacity unmanned aerial vehicle, developing its flight control and assistance systems, and a functional prototype that has been tested using real fire in its laboratory
Donostia-San Sebastian, 16 July 2026. The TECNALIA applied research and technological development centre has designed a high-capacity electric drone for fighting forest fires, which is capable of taking on and discharging large volumes of water both horizontally and vertically.
The aim of the project in which TECNALIA is involved, known as EXTINCIA (Advanced Rural Fire-Fighting System using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and artificial intelligence), is to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of firefighting, using unmanned aerial vehicles that can discharge loads of up to 600 kg both vertically and horizontally, making them particularly useful for tackling small fires close to inhabited areas and critical infrastructure.
TECNALIA’s role in this project has focused on designing an unmanned aerial vehicle with high payload that can take on and discharge water horizontally and vertically for firefighting purposes, developing flight control systems for the firefighting aircraft, including techniques for countering disturbances and assisting airworthiness (LIDAR), developing a full-scale prototype of the aerial vehicle, integrating a system of cannons for extinguishing fires, and carrying out fire-extinguishing validation flights in its laboratory using real fire.
The initiative, in which TECNALIA is involved, is funded by the CDTI and led by CLUE Technologies,, which develops technology to fight forest fires in rural and peri-urban areas using artificial intelligence, together with Aeromedia, Bastan, Drone Hopper, Helion and Telespazio, with technological support from CATEC and ITG.
Areas of innovation
The innovation behind this aerial fire-fighting platform is based on three key areas: the use of electric drones with a high payload specifically designed for firefighting, the advanced integration of artificial intelligence and on-board computing for precise, real-time operations, and the development of systems that make it possible for manned and unmanned aerial vehicles to coexist safely, a key issue that has not been resolved in firefighting operations until now. This is all aimed at improving operational efficiency, real-time decision-making and protecting both the natural environment and the people involved in fire-fighting.
- This initiative is a technological advance over current drones, as it features a system for creating fire breaks and extinguishing forest fires based on unmanned aerial vehicles. These drones, combined with artificial intelligence and advanced air traffic control systems, make it possible to respond quickly and precisely to early-stage fires, thereby reducing the risk of the fire spreading and improving operational safety.
- The EXTINCIA project also promotes the safe coexistence of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles through an advanced air traffic management system. It also integrates communication and monitoring systems for ground staff, thereby improving the safety of fire brigades by reducing their exposure to high-risk areas and providing real-time data to support decision-making.
About TECNALIA
TECNALIA is the largest applied research and technological development centre in Spain, a European benchmark and member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. It works with companies and institutions to improve their competitiveness, people's quality of life and achieve sustainable growth, thanks to a team of more than 1,500 people committed to building a better world through technological research and innovation. Its main areas of action are: smart manufacturing, digital transformation, energy transition, sustainable mobility, health and food, urban ecosystem and circular economy.
TECNALIA’s mission is to transform technological research into prosperity while its vision is to anticipate the future as the leading actors of transformation in companies and society, adapting them to the challenges of an ever-faster evolving world. This is why TECNALIA's research has a real impact on society and generates benefits in the form of quality of life and progress. In the latest brand awareness and positioning study carried out by the European Research Survey (ERS) in 2025, TECNALIA tops the list regarding R&D and Innovation brand awareness.