AF3 – Advanced Forest Fire Fighting intends to improve the efficiency of current fire-fighting operations and the protection of human lives, the environment and property by developing innovative technologies to ensure the integration between existing and new systems. Moreover, AF3 will contribute to increase the interoperability of fire-fighting means and to pave the way for industrialization of such solutions. To reach this objective, the AF3 project focuses on innovative active and passive countermeasures, early detection and monitoring, integrated crisis management and advanced public information channels.

To reach this objective, AF3 project focuses on the following areas:

• Innovative active countermeasure: implementation of the novel AAFF (Advanced Aerial Fire Fighting) system to accurately and safely disperse extinguishing materials from high altitude by aircrafts and helicopters in any condition: day and night, regardless of weather, smoke and configuration of terrain. It will enable a quick 24H response, minimizing fire duration and damages. The AAFF system can be adapted to a wide variety of aircrafts or helicopters.
• Innovative passive countermeasures: fast build-up of preventive defensive lines of capsules to prevent the spreading of fire from forest to populated areas.
• Early detection and monitoring: integration and deployment of diverse systems including satellites, aeroplanes, UAVs, and both mobile and stationary ground systems for the early detection of fire and for monitoring the propagation of smoke and toxic clouds.
• Integrated crisis management: the innovative AF3 Core Expert Engine will perform overall coordination of all fire fighting missions. It will integrate three complex systems:
- Command and Control centre.
- Risk Analysis Tool (to assess health risks to humans, livestock and infrastructure).
- Decision Support and Fire Fighting Simulator Lab (to predict progression of the fire and the effectiveness of the active and passive countermeasures).
• Advanced public information channels: smart phones, internet and dedicated broadcasting will be integrated in the global system.