Use Case: Fire Fighting

Overview & Mission Challenge

Wildfires and major structural fires shift rapidly, driven by changing winds, evolving fuel loads and challenging terrain. Incident commanders must understand fire spread, hotspot formation, crew locations and access routes in real time to make safe, effective decisions. Aerial intelligence offers the widest and most dynamic perspective – but only if it can be delivered live to those directing the response.

Operational Challenge

Smoke, heat shimmer, obstructed lines of sight and unpredictable fire movement can make ground-based observation unreliable. Mapping tools and satellite imagery often lag behind real-world conditions. Without a continuous airborne downlink into command vehicles and field units, crews may be directed into dangerous areas, containment lines may be misjudged, and opportunities for early intervention can be missed. Rapid fire growth leaves little margin for delayed or incomplete intelligence.

Aerial intelligence empowers faster containment and safer operations

Vislink Solution

Vislink AVDS equips firefighting teams with a live, overhead intelligence feed that cuts through the limitations of smoke and terrain. Airborne assets – whether fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters or UAVs –  fitted with AeroLink can transmit secure, low-latency HD/UHD HEVC video that clearly shows flame fronts, ember spread, containment line integrity and shifting wind conditions. For remote deployments or operations beyond line-of-sight, Aero5 extends coverage through bonded 5G and LEO satellite connectivity, ensuring a continuous real-time view even in remote forests or mountainous regions.

To bring this intelligence into the command structure with maximum reliability, CIRAS-X6 provides rugged, high-gain multi-channel RF reception suitable for mobile incident command posts and regional fire control centres. The Quantum receiver supports multi-mode imagery, allowing integration of thermal feeds, mapping data or sensor overlays that are essential for understanding fire intensity and hidden hotspot patterns. These tools ensure that fire-line developments are visible as they unfold, not minutes or hours later.

Coordination across responding units is enabled through LinkMatrix, which manages distribution, user access and real-time switching between airborne feeds. Fire agencies, mutual-aid partners and regional dispatch centres can all work from the same intelligence picture. On the ground, Mobil Commander gives crews direct access to live aerial views on rugged handheld devices or vehicle displays — allowing firefighters to see containment progress, assess escape routes, avoid flare-up zones and reposition safely as conditions shift. Together, these components provide a full, real-time aerial intelligence chain built for the speed and complexity of modern fire operations.

Mission Impact / Outcome

With continuous live airborne video, fire agencies can make faster containment decisions, position crews more safely, predict fire movement with greater confidence and coordinate multi-agency resources more effectively. Enhanced situational awareness reduces risk to personnel, improves suppression tactics and helps protect communities, infrastructure and natural environments as fires evolve.