Anduril Wins XPRIZE Wildfire Drone Challenge
Anduril Industries’ autonomous Lattice system won the autonomous-response track of the XPRIZE Wildfire competition, earning $2.2 million. The technology integrates cameras, sensors, drones and suppression tools to detect and extinguish fires within ten minutes, a feat that outpaced other entrants.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On September 23, 2026, California‑based defense‑tech firm Anduril Industries announced that its Lattice system had taken first place in the autonomous‑response track of the $11 million XPRIZE Wildfire competition. The company earned a $1.2 million prize for winning the main event and an additional $1 million bonus from Lockheed Martin for accurate detection, bringing its total haul to $2.2 million.
What the Competition Demands
The XPRIZE Wildfire challenge required teams to locate a high‑risk blaze within a 1,000‑square‑kilometer area of rural Alaska and to suppress it completely within ten minutes. The test also demanded that teams leave decoy fires untouched, forcing a precise blend of speed, distance, and accuracy. Over 300 teams entered the autonomous‑response track, proposing solutions ranging from robotic dogs and ground systems to lasers and sound‑based approaches. By the final round, the focus had narrowed to technologies capable of coordinating multiple assets in real time.
How Lattice Works
Lattice pulls together cameras, sensors, drones and suppression equipment into a single coordinated platform. The system uses AI‑powered thermal vision to spot flames and automatically deploys drones that carry fire‑extinguishing agents. Because the entire chain—from detection to suppression—is automated, the response can be launched without a human operator manually connecting each stage. According to Andrea Santy, program director of XPRIZE Wildfire, the goal is to detect fires before they are reported by 911, which typically takes at least fifteen minutes.
Results and Impact
During the finals, Anduril’s Lattice successfully detected, fought, and suppressed live fires. While all three finalists found the high‑risk fire within the ten‑minute window, only two teams deployed drones to attack the blaze, and none managed to extinguish it completely, leaving the grand prize unclaimed. Dryad Networks finished second with $800,000 and AURA Foresight took third with $500,000. The competition now moves into a 12‑to‑15‑month Impact Phase designed to bring the winning technologies closer to real‑world deployment.
Anduril’s success marks a significant step forward for autonomous wildfire response. The company has already used its FQ‑44 Fury uncrewed fighter and surface vessels in other defense applications, and the Lattice platform extends that autonomy to environmental protection. A video released by Anduril shows the system in action during a California demonstration, underscoring its practical readiness.
What Happens Next
In the upcoming Impact Phase, Anduril will work with partners to refine the Lattice system for deployment in real wildfire scenarios. The company plans to test the technology in diverse terrains and under varying weather conditions to ensure reliability. If successful, the system could dramatically reduce response times and save property and lives in wildfire‑prone regions.
Key facts
- Anduril wins XPRIZE Wildfire autonomous track
- Lattice integrates AI vision, drones, and suppression
- All teams found fire within 10 minutes, but only two used drones
- Competition moves to 12‑15 month Impact Phase
- Lattice aims to deploy in real wildfire scenarios
Why it matters
By automating early detection and rapid suppression, Lattice could cut wildfire response times from minutes to seconds, potentially saving lives, homes, and ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
What is the XPRIZE Wildfire competition?
A global challenge offering up to $11 million to teams that develop autonomous systems capable of detecting and suppressing wildfires quickly.
How does Lattice detect fires?
It uses AI‑powered thermal cameras to identify heat signatures and automatically deploys drones to the site.
Will Lattice replace human firefighters?
No, it is designed to augment human response by providing rapid detection and initial suppression, not to replace firefighters entirely.
When will Lattice be available?
After the 12‑to‑15‑month Impact Phase, which will refine and test the system in real conditions.
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “High-tech wildfire hunting drones deployed in California with AI-powered thermal vision”
