Texas is taking wildfire response to new heights - literally - by investing nearly $60 million in pilotless Blackhawk helicopters designed to battle wildfires across the state.
The Texas Legislature recently approved $59.8 million for the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at Texas A&M University, launching a cutting-edge partnership with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The project uses DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System, or ALIAS, to convert traditional helicopters into autonomous firefighting aircraft capable of flying without a human pilot.
The goal: to make wildfire response faster, safer, and more effective - especially during extreme weather conditions that often ground manned flights.
“The Texas A&M System always steps up,” said Robert Albritton, chairman of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “We have the know-how. We have the drive. And we are ready to do our part for the state.”
Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar said the technology could be a game-changer as the state faces longer, hotter wildfire seasons fueled by drought and climate extremes.
“We see it every year. Texas gets more than its share of disasters,” Hegar said. “We promise to continue our work to leverage the latest technologies and innovative ideas to make our great state as safe as possible.”
The Blackhawks - equipped to perform water drops, surveillance, and supply runs - could begin testing within the next year. If successful, Texas would be among the first states in the nation to deploy autonomous aircraft in frontline wildfire operations.
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