Israeli technology works to prevent aircraft collisions after deadly firefighting crash in Athens

A fatal collision between two firefighting helicopters west of Athens has highlighted the increasing dangers of aerial firefighting operations, prompting renewed interest in an Israeli-developed collision avoidance system. The accident, which claimed the lives of two crew members, occurred while the aircraft were engaged in combating wildfires, a task becoming more critical due to climate change.

The growing frequency of wildfires globally necessitates greater reliance on aerial firefighting, leading to crowded airspace where planes, helicopters, and drones operate simultaneously. Factors like smoke and poor visibility further complicate operations, making it difficult for pilots to detect nearby aircraft. This challenge is not new, as air forces worldwide have experienced losses from midair collisions, including a devastating 1997 incident in Israel that killed 73 soldiers.

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The deaths of two crew members in a firefighting helicopter collision in Greece on Sunday have underscored the growing risks facing aerial firefighting operations, as an Israeli-developed collision avoidance system seeks to reduce the danger.

Israeli company Ciconia has developed a decentralized collision avoidance system designed to mitigate these risks. The technology transmits flight data over several kilometers, enabling each aircraft to independently build a real-time awareness of surrounding air traffic. For piloted aircraft, the system provides warnings and evasive maneuver instructions, while drones receive direct commands to their flight control computers.

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The system transmits each aircraft's flight data and current flight path over a range of several kilometers, allowing every participating aircraft to independently build a real-time picture of nearby air traffic without relying on a centralized control system.

The system has undergone testing with the Israeli Air Force on Black Hawk helicopters, receiving positive feedback from pilots. However, nearly three decades after the 1997 disaster, the air force has not yet approved large-scale procurement, despite claims that the system could have prevented past tragedies. Ciconia is also participating in a U.S. initiative to enhance aerial wildfire response, with demonstrations planned in Texas and California for firefighters.

This technology's potential to improve safety in high-risk aerial operations is gaining attention as authorities grapple with the escalating threat of large-scale wildfires. The demonstrations in the U.S., supported by Qualcomm, aim to showcase the system's effectiveness in real-world wildfire scenarios.

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For piloted aircraft, the system provides collision warnings and, when necessary, immediate instructions for evasive maneuvers. For drones, maneuvering commands are sent directly to the flight control computer.