The university's fire-starting drone has been under development for almost two years. The aircraft is fitted with a chute and loaded up with balls containing potassium permanganate powder. As each ball is prepared to be launched toward a target area on the ground, it is injected with liquid glycerol which kicks off a fire-starting chemical reaction within 60 seconds of it hitting the deck.

Controlled burning is an essential part of land management in fire-prone areas, where flammable trees and grasslands can grow out of control. They can also help to apply the brakes to invasive species. Helicopters and handheld launchers are a couple of methods currently used to reduce the risk for firefighters, but the researchers believe drones can offer a cheaper and more efficient alternative.

The researchers deployed their drones over Homestead National Monument of America to burn 26 acres (10.52 ha) of restored tallgrass prairie. Prescribed burns are frequently used in these grasslands to fend off cedars and shrubs, but this time around the crew had a little help from above.

Trained firefighters started by burning the perimeter of the designated area. The drone then flew about 200 yards (180 m) into the area, before turning around and deploying the ignition balls at eight second intervals on the return leg. The drone then floated over the area gathering data on fire conditions that the researchers will study to continue improving the technology.

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