Volatus Aerospace is backing a new class of autonomous aircraft to battle Canadian wildfires after forming a strategic partnership with Spanish developer Singular Aircraft.
On August 4, 2026, Volatus Aerospace said the company wants to introduce Singular’s FlyOx 1 multi-mission heavy-lift autonomous aircraft platform to Canada’s to reinforce the county’s response to fires.
“Canada already operates one of the world’s most respected aerial firefighting fleets,” Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace, said. “Our objective isn’t to replace it, it’s to strengthen it with a new class of autonomous aircraft capability that can detect earlier, respond faster, operate closer to emerging incidents, and provide governments with new operational options when time matters most.”
Singular’s FlyOx 1 was first conceived as an autonomous aerial firefighting but has evolved into a multi-mission capable heavy-lift autonomous aircraft.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 4,000 kilograms and the ability to carry 1,560 liters of water or fire retardant or other mission payloads.
Under the agreement, Volatus Aerospace and Singular will work together to introduce the FlyOx 1 into Canada.
The partners will also evaluate manufacturing the aircraft in Canada, systems integration, operational deployment and long-term in-country support.
“For Volatus, this is about more than introducing a new aircraft,” Lynch added. “It’s about establishing sovereign Canadian capability in advanced autonomous aerospace, bringing together Canadian manufacturing, Canadian operational expertise and next-generation technology to strengthen national resilience while creating a platform that can continue to evolve as government requirements change.”
Singular’s FlyOx 1 is designed for long endurance, potential amphibious operations and can land and takeoff from unprepared airstrips.
According to Singular, the aircraft has completed documented flight operations under the oversight of five national civil and military aviation authorities across four continents, including demonstrated aerial water-discharge.
“We built the FlyOx 1 as an aircraft, not as a drone-a heavy-lift autonomous aircraft platform capable of carrying meaningful payloads over long distances while operating from land or water,” Luis Carrillo, Owner of Singular Aircraft, said. “That combination creates opportunities that simply haven’t existed before in autonomous aviation.”
Volatus Aerospace said it has already began engaging governments, regulators and wildfire management organizations across Canada to discuss operational requirements and certification pathways.
The aircraft’s introduction in Canada would be subject to Transport Canada approvals and certification.