diff --git a/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.cpp b/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.cpp
index a82a1bdf90..6060eec2a6 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.cpp
@@ -145,6 +145,22 @@ bool AP_ESC_Telem::get_motor_temperature(uint8_t esc_index, int16_t& temp) const
     return true;
 }
 
+// get the highest ESC temperature in centi-degrees if available, returns true if there is valid data for at least one ESC
+bool AP_ESC_Telem::get_highest_motor_temperature(int16_t& temp) const
+{
+    uint8_t valid_escs = 0;
+
+    for (uint8_t i = 0; i < ESC_TELEM_MAX_ESCS; i++) {
+        int16_t temp_temp;
+        if (get_motor_temperature(i, temp_temp)) {
+            temp = MAX(temp, temp_temp);
+            valid_escs++;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return valid_escs > 0;
+}
+
 // get an individual ESC's current in Ampere if available, returns true on success
 bool AP_ESC_Telem::get_current(uint8_t esc_index, float& amps) const
 {
diff --git a/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.h b/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.h
index 021f5b277f..b9e43113ff 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_ESC_Telem/AP_ESC_Telem.h
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ public:
     // get an individual motor's temperature in centi-degrees if available, returns true on success
     bool get_motor_temperature(uint8_t esc_index, int16_t& temp) const;
 
+    // get the highest ESC temperature in centi-degrees if available, returns true if there is valid data for at least one ESC
+    bool get_highest_motor_temperature(int16_t& temp) const;
+
     // get an individual ESC's current in Ampere if available, returns true on success
     bool get_current(uint8_t esc_index, float& amps) const;