NeuralDrones, a technology partner in the EU-funded CTRL-F wildfire project, will integrate Arcanus aircraft into its pre-fire and after-fire systems

TORONTO and ANSBACH, Germany, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc. ("Arcanus"), a Canadian manufacturer of advanced drone systems, and NeuralDrones UG (haftungsbeschränkt) ("NeuralDrones"), a German developer of AI-driven autonomous drone systems for emergency services, today announced a five-year exclusive partnership. NeuralDrones will integrate Arcanus aircraft into its PreFire and AfterFire wildfire detection and monitoring systems.

The partnership builds on NeuralDrones' work in CTRL-F (Cross-border Technologies for Rapid Localisation of Fire), a three-year EU Interreg Bavaria–Czechia project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. CTRL-F combines tree-mounted gas sensors, weatherproof drone-in-a-box (DiaB) docking stations and real-time AI analysis, so fire services can see a suspected fire within minutes of the first alert.

Proven in the field

On August 19, 2026, CTRL-F demonstrated its first drone station in the Neubäuer Forest near Roding, Bavaria, Germany. When a test flame was lit, sensors detected the combustion gases and an AI-guided drone flew autonomously to the site, streaming thermal and daylight video to incident command. Partners reported detecting a fire about one metre across, an average detection time of about 1 minute 50 seconds, and drone launch within 15 seconds of an alarm. Four automated stations are planned across the Bavarian Forest and Šumava - Bohemian Forest region from 2027.

What the partnership adds

NeuralDrones will deploy Arcanus aircraft in the two phases where endurance matters most:

• Pre-fire detection – scheduled patrols and sensor-triggered launches over large forests and critical infrastructure such as substations and reservoirs, using Arcanus' AB 516e and ABQ 405 platforms.
• After-fire watch – automated monitoring of burned areas for re-ignition, including zones marked by NeuralDrones' GPS-enabled Fire Lances, so crews no longer need to stay on site full time.

"Our goal has always been to support the people on the fire line, not replace them," said Steffen C. Reitz, CEO and Co-Founder of NeuralDrones. "Arcanus aircraft let our AI watch larger forests for longer and keep watch after a fire, giving crews more accurate locations, a better read on where a fire is heading, and the means to deploy resources more safely and effectively."

"Awareness of the importance of wildfire detection, prediction and monitoring has never been more acute," said Matthew Ewing, Executive Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc. "Pairing our platforms with NeuralDrones' field-proven AI puts allied-built aircraft to work protecting communities and forests, and we are proud to add it to what we offer our clients."

About Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc.

Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc. is a Canadian-controlled unmanned aerial systems company headquartered in Toronto. It designs and manufactures long-endurance BVLOS aircraft, including the AB 516e and ABQ 405 platforms, for defence, government and commercial customers, with an ITAR-free, NATO-compatible supply chain. Learn more at www.arcanus.ca.

About NeuralDrones

NeuralDrones (NeuralDrones UG (haftungsbeschränkt) and NeuralDrones Inc.) is a technology company based in Ansbach, Bavaria, that develops autonomous drone systems and AI for emergency services and safety applications. The company previously spent 18 months testing and developing its system as a technology partner in AHEAD-H2, a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), and is now a technology partner in CTRL-F, alongside Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, KI64 and the City of Pilsen's SITMP / Drony SIT. Learn more at www.neuraldrones.de.

Legal notices

Funding. The CTRL-F project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Bavaria – Czech Republic programme (European Regional Development Fund). The AHEAD-H2 project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Responsibility for the content of this press release lies solely with the companies named. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the Interreg programme authorities or the BMFTR, none of whom can be held responsible for them.

Forward-looking statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the planned integration of Arcanus aircraft into NeuralDrones' PreFire and AfterFire systems, future deployments, product capabilities and the expected benefits of the partnership. These statements reflect current expectations and assumptions, including that the parties perform under their agreements, that required regulatory approvals and airspace authorisations are obtained, and that funding and customer demand materialise as anticipated. They are subject to risks and uncertainties, including regulatory approvals, funding, technical development and integration, supply-chain factors, defence and public-sector procurement timing, and market and capital-markets conditions, that could cause actual results to differ materially. Neither Arcanus nor NeuralDrones undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Test results. Performance figures cited from the CTRL-F demonstration were reported by project partners under test conditions. Results in operational use may differ depending on terrain, weather, sensor placement and other factors.

No offer of securities. This press release is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities of NeuralDrones UG (haftungsbeschränkt), NeuralDrones Inc. or Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc. in any jurisdiction, and it is not investment advice.

Disclaimer. Information in this press release has been compiled with care but is provided without warranty as to its accuracy, completeness or currency. Information about project partners and other third parties is based on information provided by them. Neither Arcanus nor NeuralDrones accepts liability for the content of external websites referenced.

Trademarks. NeuralDrones, PreFire, AfterFire and Fire Lance are names or trademarks of NeuralDrones. All other product and company names are the property of their respective owners.

Company information. NeuralDrones UG (haftungsbeschränkt) • Registered office: Ansbach, Germany • Register court: Amtsgericht Ansbach, HRB 8347 • Managing Director(s): Steffen C. Reitz. • Kösslerstrasse 14, 91522, Ansbach, Germany.

Responsible for content (V.i.S.d.P.): Steffen C. Reitz, NeuralDrones UG (haftungsbeschränkt), address as above.

SOURCE Arcanus Aerial Systems Inc.