Tabula and Lab308 Partner to Bring Live Thermal Intelligence into Aerial Firefighting Operations

 Tabula has partnered with Lab308, integrating its new generation infrared sensor technology and real-time imaging capability into FireVision by Tabula to support more informed and coordinated aerial firefighting operations globally.







The integration combines Lab308’s compact, high-quality infrared camera systems with FireVision’s connected operational platform - streaming thermal imagery in real time directly to Tabula’s AirVision Tablet in the cockpit and the FireVision Command Centre.Thermal imagery can be viewed across the FireVision platform from anywhere in the world, giving crews in the air and teams in operations centres a clearer, shared view of the fireground. By overlaying thermal imagery with live aircraft positioning and fireground mapping, operators and incident controllers can identify hotspots, monitor fire intensity, and coordinate response efforts more effectively in fast-moving fire environments.The live imagery also enables incident controllers - whether operating in air attack aircraft or on the ground - to identify active hotspots and send more accurate suppression targets directly back to aircraft operating on the fireground.

Enhancing Visibility in Challenging Conditions

Smoke, terrain, tree canopy, and low-light conditions can make it difficult for aerial firefighting crews to maintain a clear operational picture in real time.By integrating Lab308’s infrared imaging capability into FireVision, aerial firefighting teams gain a live thermal layer across the fireground - helping crews interpret fire behaviour faster in challenging conditions.Lab308’s compact infrared sensors are designed for scalable deployment across aerial firefighting fleets, enabling more aircraft to contribute live thermal intelligence through FireVision’s connected coordination platform.The integration allows operators to:

• Track and monitor the moving fire front in real time
  
• Improve visibility in smoke-obscured and low-light conditions
  
• Identify hotspots and monitor fire intensity
  
• Detect residual heat following retardant and water drops
  
• Identify hidden hotspots beneath smoke and tree canopy
  
• Improve coordination between aerial assets, incident command, and ground crews
  
• Support more accurate targeting of suppression activity in fast-moving fire environments
  

Together, the integration helps crews move from estimation to informed action - supporting faster and more accurate response on the fireground.

A Connected Solution Built for Fireground Operations

The partnership brings together:

• Lab308’s infrared imaging systems designed for aerial firefighting aircraft
  
• Tabula’s connected fireground coordination and operational visibility platform
  

Designed to fit seamlessly into existing workflows, the integration delivers enhanced situational awareness without adding unnecessary workload for pilots operating in high-pressure environments.“This partnership is about helping firefighting teams maintain a clearer understanding of what’s happening on the fireground as conditions change,” said Michael Whittaker, CEO and Chairman of Tabula. “Our long-term goal is to see these low-cost thermal sensors deployed across water bombing aircraft globally - collecting unprecedented fireground imagery that helps crews respond more effectively, accurately, and safely.”

Supporting Smarter Aerial Firefighting Response

As wildfire events continue to increase in scale and complexity globally, firefighting agencies and aerial operators are increasingly looking for technologies that improve visibility, coordination, and situational awareness across air and ground operations.By combining live thermal imaging with connected operational coordination, Tabula and Lab308 are helping aerial firefighting teams respond faster and more effectively in demanding fire environments.