K-MAX Unmanned Helicopter, Kaman, Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA

In January, 2010, the Unmanned K-MAX helicopter demonstrated autonomous and remote control flight over both line-of-sight and satellite-based beyond line-of-sight data link. The unmanned aerial system (UAS) is a hard worker, lifting its own weight at sea level, reaching the highest altitude of any other unmanned helicopter, and carrying twice the weight of any other unmanned helicopter. And with its unique four hook carousel, the aircraft can deliver loads to different locations during the same sortie with pinpoint accuracy.

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After a nearly three-year deployment, the K-MAX cargo UAS returned from deployment with the U.S. Marine Corps. K-MAX helped reduce the number of convoys on the ground and delivered more than 4.5 million pounds of supplies to troops.

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The Lockheed Martin and Kaman unmanned K-MAX helicopter successfully lifted and dropped more than 24,000 pounds of water to extinguish a fire in a demonstration on Nov. 6. During the demonstration, the Indago quad rotor identified hot spots and provided data to an operator who directed unmanned K-MAX to conduct water drops. The demonstration signifies how an unmanned team can aid in traditionally manned operations.

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On Oct. 14, Lockheed Martin and KAMAN Corporations demonstrated for federal officials how the remotely piloted K-MAX helicopter can be used to perform wildland firefighting scenarios, including cargo drops, single target water drops, and progressive line building with a bucket. The demonstration provided officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management the opportunity to evaluate the capabilities of the unmanned helicopter.

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