NASA designing 'flying firefighters'

New York, Oct 21: The US

agency is developing drones that will not only detect fires but also help extinguish the flames before they get out of control.

Researchers at NASA's Langley Research Centre in Virginia are designing such 'flying firefighters'.

"What this does is allow us to see smoke plumes that are rising and then this camera allows us to look at hot spots," NASA aerospace engineer Mike Logan was quoted as saying in media reports.

The unmanned aircrafts are being tested at the military aviation museum in Pungo, Virginia.

Built at a cost of $5,000-$10,000, these unmanned drones would cost as little as $50 per flight.

"This particular unit is limited to 20 to 25 minutes of air time at roughly 40 to 50 mph," Logan added.

IANS