Shanghai GRUMMAN showcase at China International Expo

Shanghai GRUMMAN International Fire Equipment Co., Ltd. unveiled a broad lineup of high-end firefighting and rescue solutions at the 21st China International Fire Equipment Technology Exchange Exhibition, held 13-16 October at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.

Features of the exhibit

The exhibits spanned special-purpose vehicles, intelligent fire suppression and emergency rescue, underscoring the company’s engineering depth and manufacturing strength in specialized emergency equipment.

A highlight of the display was a dual-drone firefighting vehicle featuring coordinated operation between a tethered main drone and a companion drone.

The main drone can remain aloft for extended aerial suppression, while the companion unit executes independent dry-powder deployment, supply transport and scene illumination.

Continuous power and agent feed from the ground vehicle enable operations at heights exceeding 150 meters, tackling long-standing challenges in high-rise and supertall building fires.

Chairman, Shanghai GRUMMAN, Yang Weili’s statement

Yang Weili, Chairman of Shanghai GRUMMAN explained: “This is our UAV Firefighting Vehicle. Building on last year’s first-generation model, we have realized a ‘one vehicle, two drones’ configuration — one firefighting drone and one reconnaissance drone with modular payloads for complex high-rise scenarios.”

Also debuting was the M180GD 4WD Firefighting Robot, powered by a 97 kW turbocharged diesel engine.

It can climb obstacles up to 60 centimeters, travel at 12 km/h and is equipped with a 180 L/s high-flow monitor.

Designed for hazardous environments, it targets incidents in petrochemical facilities, tunnels and forests.

The SG10 multifunctional fire truck, built on a Unimog chassis, offers a wading depth over 80 centimeters and integrates dual extinguishing systems — perfluorohexanone and fine water mist — making it well-suited for electrical fire response.

The AP120 compressed-air foam (CAF) fire truck, on a Volvo chassis, incorporates a high-capacity air compression system with foam supply head above 200 meters and water supply head beyond 300 meters, supported by a 12-ton agent tank for sustained operations.

“GRUMMAN is guided by real-world emergency needs”

Yang added: “The firefighting equipment sector is characterized by multiple product variants and small production runs.

“There are more than 100 domestic manufacturers of firefighting vehicles and the market is relatively fragmented.

“GRUMMAN is guided by real-world emergency needs, with technology-driven development and product innovation at its core.”

He noted that R&D investment accounts for about 5% of annual revenue, with research personnel comprising roughly 30% of the company’s workforce.

Shanghai GRUMMAN showcase at China International Expo: Summary

Shanghai GRUMMAN International Fire Equipment Co., Ltd. unveiled a broad lineup of high-end firefighting and rescue solutions at the 21st China International Fire Equipment Technology Exchange Exhibition.

UAE drone firefighting technology launched at Expo 2025

UAE launches autonomous firefighting drone in Japan

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has presented a new jet-powered firefighting drone at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

According to Gulf Today, the new technology, named ‘Suhail’, is the first drone of its kind to feature jet propulsion for emergency response.

The drone is being exhibited within the UAE pavilion at the international event, which runs from April to October 2025.

The authority stated that Suhail is designed to operate autonomously using artificial intelligence.

It has been developed to support emergency teams by improving access to remote and hazardous locations.

Suhail drone designed for high-precision response

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority said the drone is capable of reaching difficult environments with improved accuracy and operational efficiency.

It added that Suhail’s autonomous functions allow it to carry out firefighting tasks while minimising the need for direct human intervention in dangerous settings.

According to the authority, the drone marks a development in how emergency teams respond to complex fire scenarios, especially where conventional vehicles face limitations.

UAE pavilion hosts debut of civil defence drone

The Suhail drone is being displayed at the UAE pavilion, located in the Empowering Lives Zone of the Osaka Expo.

The pavilion is themed ‘Earth to Ether’ and showcases technologies related to sustainability, healthcare, and space.

As reported by Gulf Today, the drone is presented as part of the UAE’s wider ambitions to contribute to global progress in life-saving innovation.

The pavilion aims to present the country’s approach to future development and its commitment to applying technology across critical infrastructure sectors.

Firefighting drone part of broader technology showcase

In addition to firefighting applications, the UAE pavilion features displays related to space exploration, medical advances and environmental systems.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority explained that Suhail forms part of the country’s broader drive to adopt advanced emergency technologies.

The UAE government said that by developing systems like Suhail, it is working to strengthen public safety and adapt emergency services for future global needs.

UAE drone firefighting technology launched at Expo 2025: Summary

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has launched a jet-powered drone for firefighting.

The drone, named Suhail, was unveiled at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

According to Gulf Today, it is the first jet-powered drone dedicated to firefighting operations.

The drone operates autonomously using artificial intelligence.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority stated that Suhail improves access to remote and hazardous locations.

The drone is exhibited within the UAE pavilion at the event.

The UAE pavilion is part of the Empowering Lives Zone at Expo 2025.

The pavilion presents technologies across emergency response, health, space and environment sectors.

Suhail is part of a broader strategy to improve civil defence readiness through technology.

The Expo 2025 event runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025.

The UAE government said the project is aligned with its long-term goals for global innovation in safety and sustainability.

Magirus introduces “M-Eye” UAV for enhanced safety in rescue operations

A new aerial perspective for emergency services

Magirus, a renowned name in the emergency response sector, has announced the launch of its proprietary UAV named “M-Eye”.

The unmanned aerial vehicle promises to offer real-time information from above, augmenting the decision-making capabilities of emergency services on the ground.

Integration with the existing operational network

The drone’s design ensures it can easily merge with current systems and networks, providing not only firefighters but other rescue and aid agencies additional safety in their fieldwork.

The use of UAVs is rapidly becoming integral in tactical and operational command due to the depth of information they supply.

Marcel Kessler, a Product Manager at Magirus, shared: “Thanks to the sophisticated technology of the M-Eye drone, emergency forces have access to high-resolution images and video footage… M-Eye enables full integration into the mobile, tactical operations network Magirus TacticNet and is thus an important link between digital systems, people and technology on the ground.”

Technical specifications of the Magirus M-Eye

This quadcopter, which boasts a maximum take-off weight of 4000 grams, is tailored for use by official bodies and organisations focused on security tasks.

Some standout features include a flight duration of up to 68 minutes, a dual RTK navigation sensor for precise positioning, and advanced functionalities like AI tracking mode and return-to-launch function.

Magirus has also partnered with Alpha Robotics during its development phase, ensuring the drone meets the specific needs and applications of fire and rescue services.

Furthermore, an optional gimbal attachment allows for additions such as an extra camera or LED lighting system.

Seamless integration with TacticNet

The TacticNet mobile response network ensures that responders face no compatibility issues while deploying the UAV.

With the M-Eye, emergency services are given both the hardware and software to leverage the latest technology seamlessly.

This UAV doesn’t need a cloud infrastructure link for its local data storage, ensuring uninterrupted operations regardless of internet connection quality and ensuring data security at all times.

Enhanced efficiency in diverse missions

In high-risk missions, such as addressing forest fires or dealing with hazardous spills, the combination of the M-Eye with the Wolf tactical robot promises heightened efficiency.

Both these innovative tools work in synergy, providing rescue teams with a comprehensive view and an enhanced foundation for decision-making and execution.

Magirus’ commitment to innovation and safety

Magirus has always positioned itself at the forefront of innovation, especially when it comes to ensuring the safety of emergency service personnel.

Thomas Hilse, CEO of Magirus GmbH, commented: “As a component of the Next Generation Firefighting innovation portfolio, the M-Eye drone fits perfectly into Magirus’ smart product range… we see it as our responsibility to make the use and handling of our products as simple as possible and to support the emergency services in digitalisation.”

IFSJ Comment

Magirus’ introduction of the M-Eye drone showcases the company’s unwavering commitment to technological innovation in the emergency services field.

By providing a bird’s-eye view, it’s expected that decision-making in critical situations will be significantly enhanced.

Coupled with the Wolf tactical robot, this duo presents a promising future for tackling challenging scenarios with precision and safety.

The seamless integration of the M-Eye into existing systems further solidifies its potential as a game-changer in modern rescue operations.

Teledyne FLIR debuts SIRAS Drone for search and rescue operations

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has announced the launch of SIRAS, a professional drone that includes a quick-connect dual radiometric thermal and visible camera payload.

Engineered for data security, performance, and affordability, SIRAS is optimised for use in industrial and utility inspection, public safety, firefighting, and search and rescue missions.

The IP-54-rated aircraft features a 31-minute flight time, radar-based front collision avoidance, and backpack portability, so professional UAV pilots can fly safely when and where the mission demands. The included Vue TV128 payload features a quick-connect gimbal, which provides imagery compatible with FLIR Thermal Studio and leading third-party photogrammetry applications.

The drone’s 16 mega pixel visible camera can zoom 128x to pinpoint details ,whilst the integrated 640×512 pixel, radiometric Boson provides thermal imagery, 5x digital zoom, and temperature-measurement of every pixel in the scene.

Taking only one minute to start up, pilots can get eyes on the scene quickly and maintain control via a dual-band radio (2.4/5.8 GHz) connection, while hot swappable batteries ensure efficient operation.

To improve data security, SIRAS stores imagery on an onboard SD card and does not include cloud connection capability. Pilots are also not required to create an online profile, increasing ease of use and reducing potential unintended online data access. 

Mike Walters, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR, said: “Designed to provide pilots with flexibility to get the job done, SIRAS delivers a geofence-free flight experience with thermal and visible imaging capabilities at $9,695 USD.

The SIRAS aircraft was designed in collaboration with and is manufactured by Coretronic Intelligent Robotics Corporation (CIRC) in Taiwan, a subsidiary of Coretronic Group. Final payload integration and quality control are completed in the USA. 

“SIRAS is the only enterprise drone to currently incorporate the patented MSX technology, which overlays the edge detail from the visible camera on the thermal image to provide critical information in real time.” 

SIRAS will begin shipping in the fourth quarter of 2022 in the US with additional regional availability information provided at www.teledyneflir.com/siras.  SIRAS is dual use and classified under US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a.