Unmanned Helos Make Rapid Progress in the U.S. | Aviation International News

Unmanned Helos Make Rapid Progress in the U.S.

Remotely controlled helicopters could be delivering cargo to U.S.

The unmanned Fire-X demonstrator made its first flight December 10.

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

December 16, 2010

Remotely controlled helicopters could be delivering cargo to U.S. Marines in Afghanistan by this time next year. The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NASC) gave the go-ahead for urgent development of competing proposals from Boeing/Frontier Systems (using the A160T Hummingbird) and Lockheed Martin (based on the Kaman K-Max).

NASC says there is an urgent need to reduce warfighters’ exposure to improvised explosive devices. The fixed-price contracts are worth $29.9 million to Boeing/Frontier Systems and $45.8 million to Lockheed Martin; they each include two air vehicles, three ground control stations, and funding for a quick-reaction assessment (QRA) next summer. After the QRA, the Navy will choose one contractor to mount a six-month deployment.

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