The COLLARIS2 project is excited to share another drone use case that showcases a promising way of using UAV for disaster risk reduction – this time focused on avalanche blasting (also known as avalanche control or mitigation), i.e., the intentional triggering of small, controlled snow slides to prevent large, destructive avalanches from occurring naturally (when people are in the field). Avalanche control is done to protect lives, property, and critical transportation routes, and is commonly conducted by one of several triggering methods using hand-charges, helicopter-based deployment, the use of military equipment or remote avalanche control systems, and - more recently - high-payload drones.
Check out a concise two-page summary on the COLLARIS2 project site ('Outputs & Results').
Reliable, Cost-effective, and Flexible Avalanche Blasting
The system explored in this use case is a relatively new method using drones to ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective, and flexible avalanche blasting.
It is a high-altitude drone system developed by the Austrian company Höhenarbeit GmbH, and geared towards avalanche mapping in cooperation with the Austrian Research Centre for Forests (BFW) within the project AvaDrone.
The system was specifically developed for triggering avalanches and was first used in 2019 (since then approx. 100 deployments).
Avalanches in Austria: Eight Skiers Killed in Just One Day
Avalanches often happen because fresh snow is poorly bonded to older snow, and pose a significant threat in the Alps, especially between December and April. Unfortunately, they often kill (cross-country) skiers or hikers undertaking tours in mountainous areas.
In Austria alone, around 20 people are killed through avalanches each winter. Two recent avalanche events in Salzburg and Styria were particularly devastating, killing a total of eight skiers in just one day (January 17, 2026). While experts and scientists try to predict when an avalanche is going to occur using historical data, weather information and data on the actual snow on a mountainside, it’s still not possible to foresee with 100% certainty when and where they will materialize. Most avalanche accidents happen at danger level three (on a scale of 5).
Do you know any promising drone use cases? Let us know and we might share your experience with the rest of the COLLARIS Network!
Virtual Booklet On Drone Use Cases
COLLARIS2 will eventually produce a virtual „booklet” with at least 12 drone use cases, aiming to help overcome the lack of sufficient information about operational use cases for drones. The task is part of the project’s work package 3 - support for the uptake of lessons learnt, lead by the Greek Center of Security Studies, KEMEA. Some elements of the use cases may be included in trial scenarios and training materials.
About COLLARIS2
The EU-funded project COLLARIS2 is the successor to COLLARIS (COLLaborative network on unmanned AeRIal Systems) and focuses on the use of UAS (e.g., drones) in the field of civil protection and disaster management. Building upon the results of the COLLARIS Network, this project aims to continue, expand and further develop the already established international network of crisis management and civil protection practitioners, research institutions and public administration. The members of the network collect and transfer knowledge, exchange experiences, skills, good practices and information on operational procedures for the optimal use of drones in crisis management and rescue missions.