Israel Completes First Flight Test of AI Wildfire-Detection Drone

Israel completed the first flight test of an autonomous wildfire-detection system this week, combining IAI's APUS 25 drone with infrared sensors and artificial intelligence. The joint project includes the National Security Ministry, Israel Innovation Authority, Israel Aerospace Industries, Technion and Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. Developers say the platform is designed to locate fires within minutes of ignition, pinpoint them to meter-level accuracy and relay a real-time operational picture while scanning hundreds of square kilometers. Further trials will test different terrain, weather and firefighting scenarios before any operational deployment.