NASA looks to Conshohocken to help monitor wildfires from the sky, writes Jamie Whitney for Military + Aerospace Electronics.
Conshy’s American Aerospace Technologies has secured a sole-source contract with the space agency. They will fly uncrewed aircraft over wildfire-prone areas across the continental United States.
The 2026 mission will support NASA’s FireSense Project, an initiative aimed at advancing wildfire detection and response. AATI will use their AiRanger drone to gather high-resolution atmospheric and infrared imagery for up to 96 hours of flight. It will take place over a two-week period.
NASA selected AATI for its rare capability to fly high-endurance, long-range UAS platforms equipped with onboard detect-and-avoid systems. The AiRanger is a 16-foot wingspan fixed-wing drone with over 20 hours of flight time, satellite communications, and the ability to carry a 65-pound payload.
As part of the contract, AATI will integrate a custom suite of NASA sensors into the aircraft, including infrared and multispectral cameras. They will deliver detailed flight data for post-mission analysis. AATI will conduct the mission under NASA’s rigorous airworthiness and safety protocols.
This partnership with American Aerospace Technologies puts Conshohocken at the forefront of climate disaster monitoring.
Learn more about American Aerospace Technologies’ involvement in the FireSense initiative in Military + Aerospace Electronics.
