Supporting first responders in making tactical decisions

Wildfires are presenting emergency responders with increasingly complex challenges: fires are often difficult to locate, the terrain is difficult to navigate, and decisions must be made under intense time pressure. When emergency responders are called to a wildfire, the most important piece of information is often missing: Where exactly is the fire? There are no house numbers in forested and open areas; callers cannot always describe their location clearly or may simply report seeing smoke in the distance. This is exactly where LUITA comes in: In the research project “Airborne Interdisciplinary Tactical Reconnaissance,” experts from the IAT – working closely with the Fraunhofer IAO – are investigating how remotely piloted drones can provide situational awareness at an early stage and support emergency responders in making tactical decisions. This makes it possible to contain fires sooner, allocate resources more effectively, and prevent them from spreading further. It can also support decision-making.

“With LUITA, we are exploring how drone data can be integrated into control center processes in a way that enables emergency responders to take action more quickly.” What matters here is not just the technology itself, but how it interacts with organization, communication, and tactical decision-making. “That is exactly why we bring scientific expertise and practical experience together,” says Lena Posselt, a research assistant at the IAT at the University of Stuttgart.

Research and practical experience combine to develop solutions for situational awareness

The IAT coordinates the project and, together with its partners, develops deployment scenarios, action plans, and training and evaluation concepts. The Fraunhofer IAO is investigating how drone data can be integrated into control center processes, cross-organizational workflows, and tactical decisions. The Reutlingen and Zollernalbkreis districts are providing the operational perspective, setting up the drone port infrastructure, and testing the solutions in realistic trials and exercises. As part of the project, remotely piloted drone systems will be stationed at selected locations in the counties and integrated into existing emergency response and operational structures.

Field testing under real-world conditions in two districts

A key component of the project is real-world, documented test operations as well as targeted research exercises. In this process, drone systems and operational procedures are tested under realistic conditions, and the integration of drones as operational resources into control center and command processes is evaluated. Once the alarm is triggered, the centrally controlled systems are designed to start up within 30 seconds and provide high-resolution live aerial imagery. This enables control centers and incident commanders to make a reliable assessment of the situation even while en route and to prepare tactical decisions. Among other things, the study will examine the drones' takeoff and approach times, the quality of the live situational imagery, the stability of data transmission, and the communication processes between the control center, the incident command, and the on-site response teams. Legal and organizational issues such as airspace clearances, BVLOS operations, collision avoidance, and coordination with other aircraft are also taken into account.

A blueprint for emergency response in Germany

LUITA is geared toward practical implementation: The project results are intended not only to benefit the participating regions, but also to serve as a blueprint for other counties and regions – with practical recommendations for action, guidelines, and implementation materials. In addition, the project opens up opportunities for collaboration with other research and innovation initiatives, such as the use of drone data for training purposes or the combination of live situational imagery with AI-powered analysis systems. In the long term, LUITA is intended to help provide better support to emergency responders in complex situations, speed up decision-making processes, and enhance the safety of the public, the environment, and infrastructure.

“Our goal is to present the findings from the pilot regions in such a way that other counties can also benefit from them. LUITA is intended to demonstrate how research, practical application, and technical innovation can together contribute to sustainable solutions for emergency response,” says District Fire Chief Sven Röger of the Zollernalbkreis District Office.

Project partners agree on the first steps for LUITA at the launch meeting

The project officially launched on June 1, 2026, and is being implemented as part of the DATIpilot grant program within the context of FFFLab, an innovation community that strengthens the transfer of knowledge and innovation between the forestry sector and fire departments, thereby aligning with the funding guidelines “DATIpilot – Funding and Learning for Innovation and Transfer” issued by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). At the launch meeting in late June, the project partners agreed on the goals, work packages, and next steps. The focus was on operational requirements, the technical integration of drone systems, and the planning of initial tests and exercises.