Overwatch Imaging’s TK-8 Smart Sensors are providing Korea Forest Aviation with real time airborne intelligence to support faster and safer wildfire response operations.
Overwatch Imaging is helping strengthen South Korea’s wildfire response capabilities through its partnership with South Korean OQ Solution. Korea Forest Aviation (KFA) has deployed three TK-8 Smart Sensors on its Korea Utility Helicopter fleet for daytime and nighttime missions.
The systems provide rapid wildfire mapping, multispectral imagery and onboard image processing, helping crews identify fire boundaries, hotspots and areas requiring immediate attention. The TK-8’s wide area sensing capability is particularly valuable at night, when darkness, smoke and mountainous terrain can severely restrict visibility and increase operational challenges for pilots.
Overwatch Imaging TK-8 Smart Sensor.
Using Overwatch Imaging’s QuickMosaic capability, imagery is processed onboard the aircraft to generate georeferenced orthomosaic maps while missions are still underway. This removes the need to wait for potentially hours of post flight image processing before actionable information reaches incident commanders and ground teams.
The technology demonstrated its operational value during a major wildfire in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, on January 21, 2026. A KFA Surion helicopter equipped with TK-8 conducted its first nighttime operational wildfire mission, using thermal imagery and rapid mapping to identify remaining embers and areas of intense fire activity.
The information helped ground firefighting teams prioritize personnel and target active areas. Reported fire suppression increased from 66 percent to 90 percent before sunrise, with the wildfire fully extinguished later that morning.
The deployment demonstrates how real time airborne intelligence can improve wildfire monitoring, resource allocation and decision making in demanding conditions.
Read Immediate Impact: How real-time intelligence is empowering Korea wildfire response agency.
