Originally Posted by
mickjoebill
In light of the above posts....An apparently well researched analysis in digestible form, of Australia’s Mega fire.
The Fire has been traced to single lightning strike, a helicopter responded with a team that were to be winched down but wind conditions thwarted the operation.
Nothing unusual in the response or conditions.
These catastrophic fires occur on days where flying conditions are marginal/impossible for rotary and light fixed wing.
So some Covid induced dreaming....We have developed extraordinary flying machines for war.
Could we develop one for first response all weather firefighting?
Probably unmanned and with a highly responsive thrust to counter turbulence.
Yes a $B endevour.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-...=0&pfmredir=sm
There was a guy....
about 20 years ago, in a shed in SE LA, a guy had a 6 engine 4 seater running, now would be called a sexcopter I guess. He had lots of spare thrust and was envisaging payloads over 1000kg, which would be at the edge of interest as a drone dropship. There is some regulatory constraints, but nothing to get sideways on. There is no technological constraint in doing attack that way, it is purely political will. If the bedstead with a ton of slurry is not flying over people, and that should be a low bar to hurdle, then the risk is lower than is faced by y'all in the choppers. managing the CG during drop is about the only interesting control design. Continuous operations would take a fair bit of manpower and remote pilot is probably desirable for safety and target changes. you can buy baby ones of that Alibaba, for 20kg liquid, to put out cuban cigars.