Kitepower is proud to announce a new partnership with Ember Flash Aerospace to explore the integration of advanced wildfire detection into our airborne energy systems. Ember Flash’s AI-driven sensor, Vigilant Detect, is designed to identify early signs of wildfire smoke — a critical capability, especially during high-wind conditions when wildfires spread rapidly.

This aligns perfectly with the operational strengths of the Kitepower Hawk, which generates renewable energy precisely when it is windy. By combining clean energy generation with real-time wildfire detection, this collaboration aims to deliver dual benefits to communities: sustainable power and increased safety.

“At Ember Flash, just like our trailblazing partners at Kitepower, we’re operating in the power zone—where vision, velocity, and precision collide. Kitepower is redefining what’s possible in airborne energy, and together we’re not just adapting to wildfire threats—we’re sending it, pushing boundaries, and staying ahead of every shift the wind throws our way.”

The first test flights will evaluate the performance of the Vigilant Detect sensor mounted on the Kitepower Hawk. The system, nicknamed “The Vigilant Hawk”, is a mobile Airborne Wind Energy System that not only generates green energy but also functions as an early-warning system for wildfires, enabling faster response times and potentially saving lives and property.

“We’ve planned a full testing campaign to see how the sensor performs in flight and what iterations might be needed to fully integrate it with the Kitepower Hawk system,” said Andrei Luca, Head of Operations at Kitepower. “It’s an ideal match. The Hawk is designed to operate off-grid or on mini-grids, which are often located in remote areas. That makes it perfect for monitoring the horizon for wildfire threats from the height of the kite while providing clean power.”

This partnership opens a new chapter for both companies and offers tremendous potential for innovation at the intersection of energy, safety, and AI-powered sensing.Stay tuned as we begin flight testing and prepare The Vigilant Hawk for real-world deployment.