Introducing the FireDrone, a new fire-proof unmanned aerial vehicle that can help firefighters inspect burning buildings so people know what they’re up against. The experimental quadcopter is being developed by scientists from Imperial College London and the Swiss research institute Empa. Unlike ordinary drones, it can withstand temperatures up to 200°C for 10 minutes.

The heat resistance of the aircraft is mainly due to the insulating airgel layer, which forms a shell surrounding its electronics. The porous gel created specifically for the project consists of air pockets in a matrix of polyimide plastic, silica and glass fiber – the latter providing structural reinforcement. The aluminum outer shell also helps reflect heat away from the drone.

Besides the battery, controller, video transmitter and radio receiver, the FireDrone also received conventional and infrared cameras and a CO sensor₂. The drone’s creators said it can transmit real-time data such as the distribution of fire sources, the location of hazards to avoid, and the location of stranded people.

The FireDrone has been successfully tested at a firefighter training center and several more tests are planned in the future. Once the drone is commercialized, it can be used to assess forest fires and even reconnaissance in very cold conditions, thanks to its insulating airgel.

“The use of drones is often limited by environmental factors such as temperature,” said lead researcher Professor Mirko Kovacs. “We show a way to overcome this, and we believe our results will help unlock the future power of drones for harsh environments.”