Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (OTCQB: VLTTF) passed the Alberta Wildfire Services’ Hinton GRID Testing evaluation process, effectively becoming a qualified vendor providing infrared imaging services from drones to help fight wildfires.
The Hinton GRID Testing assesses whether vendors can fulfill specific requirements regarding target sensitivity, accuracy and data delivery in alignment with the operational demands of fire services. It is mandatory for providers of infrared services in Alberta and is widely acknowledged and accepted by various provincial fire departments.
“Volatus is now on an approved vendor call list of infrared drone imaging service providers in the province of Alberta to help Alberta Wildfire Services,” said Walter Weselowski, team lead, special flight ops for Volatus Aerospace.
“Although many drone pilots are wanting to help with wildfire suppression, safely flying a drone in complex wildfire environments while collecting accurate and reliable hotspot data is a skill requiring specific knowledge, qualifications, and experience.”
MQ-9 Reaper flying in support of civil authorities battling deadly wildfires in Northern California.
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Volatus Aviation makes environmentally friendly drones
Volatus caters to civil, public safety and defense markets providing services that encompass areas such as imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, as well as training. Additionally, Volatus is actively engaged in research and development, design and manufacturing.
Under its subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, the company is involved environmentally friendly drone technology aimed at complementing or even replacing traditional aircraft and helicopters for lengthy and linear inspections. Industries such as pipelines, energy, rail and cargo services can benefit from Volatus’ drone technology, which offers efficient and effective solutions for their inspection needs.
In previous years, the Government of Alberta has contracted Elevated Robotic Services, which normally deploys drones for mining companies, to help firefighters find the location of the blaze. Furthermore, in 2017, researchers at the University of British Columbia used drones to inspect the aftermath of the wildfires in that province.
The Province of British Columbia has also gone to drone companies for assistance, reaching out to private aerospace firm Pegasus Imagery for assistance. Its aircraft come with airborne radar and artificial intelligence to map and deliver information about fires day or night.
Meanwhile, China has been using drones to fight wildfires for years. China’s prominent drone manufacturers, including SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI), have received financial support from the government and military of the country. This funding extends to the developers of the drones utilized in combating the wildfires in Chongqing.
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