The Falco EVO will be deployed for advanced surveillance operations in the Canary Islands for a total of 700 operational flight hours annually, with a particular focus during the summer season, a high-risk period for wildfires. Thanks to its ability to fly at altitudes of up to 6,400 meters and operate for over 20 continuous hours, the Falco EVO will gather essential data for wildfire management and environmental protection, even in challenging weather conditions.
“Protecting our environment is a top priority, and using the Falco EVO will allow us to respond to emergencies more quickly and effectively,” said Carlos Fernández de la Peña, CEO of Telespazio Ibérica. “Our commitment goes beyond simple surveillance: the data collected, integrated with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, will allow us to take real-time action to prevent and combat wildfires, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation in the Canary Islands.”
The capabilities of the Falco EVO are further enhanced by its ability to operate in automatic flight mode, with electro-optical, infrared, and radar sensors providing detailed images and real-time video. These data are automatically processed at the Geoinformation Center (GIC) using artificial intelligence algorithms, enabling the detection of anomalies and improving the efficiency of emergency management operations. “The prevention phase is critical. The data, combined with AI algorithms, will allow us to detect suspicious activity, map fire risk, and enhance field monitoring,” added Fernández de la Peña.
The agreement was signed during an event at the Fuerteventura Technological Park, with key institutional figures, including the President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo. Alberto Pietro Berruti, Senior Vice President Sales of Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, commented: “We are proud to contribute with our technologies to this environmental protection and wildfire prevention program. The Falco EVO is an example of our advanced capabilities, combining aerospace platforms, sensors, and interoperability. This collaboration aligns with Leonardo’s commitment to sustainability and the protection of natural resources.”
From left: Alberto Pietro Berruti, Vice President Sales of Leonardo's Aircraft Division and Carlos Fernández de la Peña, CEO of Telespazio Ibérica
In the image, the Falco EVO
This partnership is part of a broader initiative led by Telespazio Ibérica in collaboration with Pegasus Aero Group, which has already implemented a drone monitoring system in the Canary Islands. The deployment of the Falco EVO further strengthens this initiative, which aims to combat wildfires, increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change and complex biodiversity management. The Falco EVO’s ability to operate in extreme conditions (from -40ºC to 50ºC) and fly both day and night makes it an ideal tool for tackling complex wildfires, including sixth-generation fires that spread rapidly and are difficult to control.
The operations of the Falco EVO will also contribute to the management of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, flooding, and coastal and border surveillance, areas in which this UAV has already proven its effectiveness.