When an industrial fire erupts or flames spread across a high-rise’s aluminum cladding, firefighters face tough decisions — risking their lives to respond. Eng Ali Al Madfaei envisions moments like these for Suhail, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence’s innovative jet-powered firefighting drone.
“In complex industrial fires, where the risks for firefighters on-site are high due to rapidly changing conditions, autonomous systems enable us to combat fires more efficiently and safely — without endangering human lives,” he explained.
Another challenge, he noted, is addressing façade fires that once plagued Gulf skylines. “Buildings with exterior aluminum cladding pose significant challenges when ablaze,” he said. “Technology like this can help extinguish fires on high-rise exteriors.”
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Innovative strides in aerial firefighting
A functional prototype is expected by late 2026. Suhail, currently a digital model, is part of a Civil Defence initiative exploring future firefighting technologies. Designed in Abu Dhabi, it exists in computer simulations, where its calculations have been validated. “The science and math are done,” Al Madfaei stated. “We now need to pass our data to the manufacturer to realize our vision.”
Unlike propeller-based drones, Suhail features eight mini jet engines for thrust and stability, a design that Al Madfaei believes innovates aerial firefighting. “Jet engines were chosen to counteract forces, handling ten bars of pressure with a water output of 1,400 liters per minute,” he explained. “The drone’s tethered-base connects to a fire truck for a continuous water supply.”
The drone’s ceramic-coated carbon-fiber shell and silica-infused canopy are designed to withstand temperatures up to 1,200 °C, aided by 3D LiDAR sensors for navigation through smoke. A 100-liter kerosene tank allows for about 40 minutes of flight and a 90-meter operational ceiling, with 60 meters being optimal during tests.
The story behind the name Suhail
Despite its technical prowess, Suhail’s name has a personal and poetic origin. “Suhail is a star significant to people in the UAE and the Arab world. Its appearance in the desert night sky signifies the end of summer heat and the arrival of hope,” Al Madfaei shared.
He also designed its sky-blue coloration, inspired by his childhood interest in Japanese manga and anime robots, a tribute to where the drone debuted. “Manga and anime, with their giant fighting robots, influenced my upbringing,” he said. “It was fitting and poetic that its first unveiling happened in Japan.”
Though still virtual, Suhail’s design boasts a custom flight controller integrated with Civil Defence systems and an emergency parachute for safe landings. Future models might operate in swarms, coordinating through shared telemetry. Currently, Abu Dhabi’s drones provide reconnaissance, offering “situational awareness” to ground teams. Suhail, if realized, would shift this role from observation to active firefighting.
