Welcome to the Interagency UAS Website

This website is intended to provide operational knowledge primarily for interagency fire UAS operations.  

Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin 2021-07 "Wildland Fire UAS Briefing for Aviation Personnel" is a 2 page summary of UAS operations on incidents. 

3/26/2025:  NWCG UAS Capabilities and Limitations Video  

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the Incident Response pocket guide.

Latest Updates

(current as of 6/18/2025)

• *New* 6/18/2025:  An updated Flight by Notification/Special Government Interest Waiver process is available.

• *Recent* 4/30/2025:  Drone Amplified has issued Technical Service Bulletin DA-04-29-25 for a battery setting update for Alta X FW version 1.4

• *Recent* 4/30/2025:  Drone Amplified Flight 3.6.0 has been released.  Check the Drone Amplified DA Flight Downloads page for more information.   

• *Recent* 4/21/2025:  Drone Amplified has issued Technical Service Bulletin DA-04-11-25 for electrostatic discharge affecting the Pilot Pro controller.   

• 3/31/2025:   DA-03-2725 IGNIS Hang Fire Technical Service Bulletin

•  3/17/2025:  Ordering Guidance:  A new UAS Module (UMOD) has been added to IROC to streamline the ordering process for UAS resources.  See the UAS Ordering page for more information.

• 1/1/2025:  OPM-11 has been released for 2025. Please see the summary of changes on page 1 for updates on DOI recognition of USFS airworthiness evaluations and alignment of UAS operations with the 2024 NDAA.

   

Interagency UAS Operations

Goal

• Safely, effectively, and efficiently employ UAS in support of resource program, or incident management objectives.

Objectives

• Develop UAS operations capacity through standard safety, training, flight, data collection, data processing, and project management processes.
• Develop a contract program (data and flight), which supports incident and resource management objectives.

Summary:

UAS can positively impact every resource program by utilizing state of the art equipment. UAS derived data and imagery empowers scientists, incident personnel, and senior leaders to make informed decisions based on precise and real-time information. Data gathered from UAS is unique due to the ability of the aircraft to fly low, slow, and for long periods of time while collecting high-resolution imagery and sub-centimeter data.