Telespazio Ibérica, a prominent provider of geo-information services in Spain, has partnered with global aerospace and defense company Leonardo to bolster efforts in safeguarding the Canary Islands against forest fires and preserving biodiversity. At the heart of this initiative is Leonardo’s advanced remotely piloted aircraft, the Falco EVO, which will play a pivotal role in fire prevention, early detection, and biodiversity management.

Under a newly signed contract, the Falco EVO will perform 700 operational flight hours annually, with a strong emphasis on the high-risk summer season. The agreement was formalized during an event at the Fuerteventura Technology Park, attended by the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, alongside Leonardo Aircraft Division Senior Vice President of Sales Alberto Pietro Berruti and Telespazio Ibérica CEO Carlos Fernández de la Peña.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Spain, as it incorporates cutting-edge drone technology to combat sixth-generation wildfires. The initiative is an extension of the strategic partnership formed in March 2024 between Telespazio Ibérica, Pegasus Aero Group, and the Canary Islands Government. This partnership has already demonstrated the effectiveness of drones in wildfire monitoring, particularly in the latter part of 2024. Falco EVO: A Technological Asset

The Falco EVO is equipped with advanced features, including:

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İçeriği Görüntüle
  • Wingspan: 12.5 meters
  • Length: 6.2 meters
  • Height: 2.5 meters
  • Endurance: Over 20 hours
  • Maximum altitude: 6,400 meters
  • Payload capacity: Over 100 kilograms

This aircraft integrates electro-optical, infrared, and radar imaging capabilities, ensuring seamless operation in extreme conditions ranging from -40°C to 50°C. It provides real-time data to the Geo-Information Centre (GIC), where artificial intelligence algorithms analyze the information, enabling emergency services to make timely and informed decisions.

"The Falco EVO’s ability to deliver thermal and visible imagery enables us to manage all phases of fire response: prevention, early detection, monitoring, and post-fire analysis," said Carlos Fernández de la Peña, CEO of Telespazio Ibérica. "Its advanced data capabilities, combined with AI algorithms, support tasks like suspicious activity detection, 3D mapping, and fire risk assessment."

Combatting Sixth-Generation Wildfires

The Falco EVO’s role is crucial in addressing increasingly intense and unpredictable sixth-generation wildfires, driven by rising temperatures, drought, and biodiversity challenges. The aircraft’s capabilities extend beyond wildfire management, enabling assessments of meteorological damage, volcanic eruptions, floods, and border surveillance.

"We are proud to contribute to this program with our technology, helping protect the environment and address critical challenges that threaten it," said Alberto Pietro Berruti, Senior Vice President of Sales at Leonardo Aircraft Division. "The Falco family represents our commitment to advanced integrated capabilities and sustainability."

Telespazio Ibérica and Leonardo join forces to protect Canary Islands Telespazio Ibérica and Leonardo join forces to protect Canary Islands

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