Objectives of the service
Wildfire decision-makers lack real-time, high-resolution intelligence integrated into their operational systems. Existing satellite services (e.g. Copernicus EMS) are too slow (>24 hours) and too coarse for tactical use, while legacy aerial surveillance is costly, limited in availability, and rarely delivers real-time or predictive insights.
SWIFT addresses these gaps through two service modules delivered from a single airborne platform:
the Pre-Fire Risk Assessment module captures high-resolution forest imagery (<15 cm ground sample distance (GSD)) using RGB and near-infrared sensors. It enables tree counting, storm damage detection, vegetation stress analysis, and fuel load estimation to support prevention and planning.
the In-Situ Wildfire Monitoring module delivers real-time fire perimeter maps and hotspot detection, with data transmitted via satellite communications in under 20 minutes. It provides forward-looking fire spread forecasts (1–6 hours ahead) to support operational decision-making.
Both modules rely on GNSS georeferencing (≤10 m accuracy) and SatCom-enabled data transmission to ensure precise, resilient, and globally scalable service delivery. Outputs are delivered via standard APIs and web-based map services for seamless integration into existing user systems.
Users and their needs
SWIFT targets 3 core user communities in Europe, with initial operations in Portugal.
Civil security – AGIF (Portugal)
AGIF (Agência para a Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais) coordinates national wildfire prevention and response across multiple agencies. It requires timely, high-resolution intelligence to manage both pre-fire risk and active incidents. Current satellite and legacy aerial systems are too slow or fragmented to support operational decision-making. SWIFT addresses this by providing real-time fire perimeters, hotspot detection, and short-term fire spread forecasts (1–6 hours ahead) to improve situational awareness, coordination, and resource allocation.
Insurance – Scalepoint (Europe)
Scalepoint provides claims management solutions to 27 European insurers. Its users need reliable, geo-referenced data to assess risk exposure, trigger alerts, and process claims efficiently after major events.
SWIFT delivers high-resolution pre- and post-event imagery with GNSS traceability, sub-20-minute fire intelligence for targeted alerts, and seamless API integration into claims workflows. The result is faster, more consistent claims handling and reduced fraud risk.
Bioenergy / carbon removal – Refractive (Denmark)
Refractive converts forest biomass into certified marine biofuel and carbon removal products. Its operations depend on accurate, up-to-date information on biomass location, volume, and condition.
SWIFT provides geo-referenced biomass mapping to optimise collection logistics and generate auditable datasets for carbon credit certification.
The ESA Demonstration Project validates the service with these 3 dedicated users (one in each sector mentioned above), with operations focused in Portugal.
Service/ system concept
SWIFT combines a modular airborne sensor platform with satellite-enabled data delivery to provide real-time, decision-grade wildfire intelligence at scale.
The system is deployed on standard high-wing aircraft using a certified, quick-install wing-strut pod, allowing rapid mobilisation without aircraft modification. Sensor payloads are adapted to the mission.
For prevention, SWIFT captures high-resolution imagery (<15 cm GSD) using RGB and near-infrared sensors to assess vegetation condition, storm damage, and fuel loads.
For active fires, it delivers real-time fire perimeter maps and hotspot detection within minutes of acquisition. Data is transmitted via satellite communications and processed in the cloud to generate actionable intelligence, including short-term fire spread forecasts (1–6 hours ahead).
All outputs are precisely georeferenced (≤10 m GNSS accuracy) and delivered through standard APIs and web-based map services, enabling seamless integration into existing command, insurance, and biomass management platforms.
A built-in digital ledger ensures data integrity and traceability, supporting audit-critical applications such as insurance claims and carbon credit verification.
Space Added Value
SWIFT relies on two space asset categories as core enablers: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Satellite Communications (SatCom). Together, they make real-time, reliable, and scalable wildfire intelligence possible:
-
GNSS provides precise georeferencing (≤10 m accuracy) of all airborne data outputs. This level of spatial accuracy is critical for fire perimeter mapping, hotspot localisation, biomass assessment, and insurance damage evaluation. It ensures that all data is consistent, interoperable, and usable across agencies and systems.
-
SatCom enables real-time transmission of airborne data to the cloud, with end-to-end delivery in under 20 minutes. It provides resilient connectivity in environments where terrestrial networks are unavailable or disrupted — a common situation in wildfire-affected and remote regions.
Combined, GNSS and SatCom create a trusted spatio-temporal data chain: GNSS ensures positional accuracy, while SatCom provides secure, time-stamped transmission. This enables auditable, tamper-resistant datasets that support operational decision-making, insurance claims, and carbon credit verification.
This combination enables SWIFT to deliver real-time intelligence, predictive insights, and verifiable data at the scale required for operational and commercial use.
Current Status
Three demonstration users — across civil security, insurance, and bioenergy — are actively engaged through ongoing workshops, weekly coordination, pilot operations planning, and continuous feedback. Their inputs have been consolidated into validated user requirements that directly shape the service design.
A TRL 4–5 prototype was flight-tested in Denmark in summer 2025, validating the airborne data capture chain and rapid mapping workflow through the production of operational wildfire maps.
The system architecture is defined, with two operational modules covering pre-fire risk assessment and real-time wildfire monitoring. The commercial model and market approach are being tested and refined, including area-based pricing and clearly defined customer segments.
Following the successful Baseline Design Review in May 2026, the project completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) in July 2026, consolidating the detailed system design. Edge-based analytics are now developed in-house, and the two service modules are confirmed: in-situ wildfire monitoring, and pre-fire risk assessment with post-event mapping. Two test flights were completed ahead of the CDR. The first validated end-to-end satellite and cellular connectivity, real-time system monitoring, and data buffering with automatic failover. The second validated the full multi-sensor payload in flight, including the detection of a controlled smoke source and the capture of RGB and thermal imagery over a ground reference target. Post-flight processing is refining sensor georeferencing accuracy and training the automated detection and mapping workflows. The payload configuration, satellite uplink strategy, and data-processing pathway are confirmed, and the pilot campaign window and survey area have been defined with the Portuguese wildfire-management agency AGIF. The project is now preparing for the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) ahead of pilot operations in Portugal.
Prime Contractor(s)
