Lockheed Martin Delivers Unmanned K-Max Helicopter for Evaluation | Aviation International News

Lockheed Martin Delivers Unmanned K-Max Helicopter for Evaluation

Lockheed Martin flew a K-Max helicopter to NAS Patuxent River to start an evaluation that will result in an

The K-Max is one of two contenders for an unmanned cargo lifting requirement developed by the U.S. Marine Corps. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

July 18, 2011

Lockheed Martin flew a K-Max helicopter to NAS Patuxent River to start an evaluation that will result in an unmanned airborne cargo delivery system being deployed to Afghanistan. The K-Max is competing against the Boeing A160 Hummingbird for a U.S. Marine Corps requirement. Lockheed Martin’s MS2 division has adapted two examples of the Kaman rotorcraft, which was originally designed to haul logs from forests and to fight fires, as an optionally piloted vehicle.

According to Dan Spoor, vice president of MS2, the K-Max has the advantage over the A160 in terms of payload (it can haul 6,000 pounds at sea level) and operating cost ($1,000 per hour). He told AIN that delivery by an unmanned helicopter can save lives when improvised explosive devices (IEDs) threaten a ground convoy, and is also more flexible. It can also overcome the physical difficulties of resupplying remote bases located in difficult terrain.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Embraer Delivers First Praetor 600E Ahead of Schedule

Launch customer Flexjet accepts first of the upgraded super-midsize jets

Embraer Praetor 600E in flight

Aura Aero Flies Former VoltAero Aircraft As Testbed

Aura Aero makes first flight of hybrid-electric testbed since acquiring assets

Modified Cessna 337 Skymaster over coast r

ACJ: Strong Large-aircraft Market Growth Ahead in Asia

Research finds most financiers and brokers in Asia see market demand increasing

Airbus Corporate Jets ACJTwoTwenty

Britten-Norman Targets Eight New-build Islanders Annually

UK production expansion follows inaugural flight of latest Bembridge-built unit

Britten-Norman Islander

Bizjet Market Value To Reach $60B per Year in Next Decade

Market estimated to grow from $27 billion in 2025 to more than $60.5 billion

Phenom 100

Atlas Will Build Electra’s EL9 Hybrid-electric Prototypes

Wichita-based aerospace manufacturing group has partnered with the U.S. start-up

Electra EL9 aircraft

Honda Aircraft Finishes Echelon Wing, Delays 1st Flight

Final assembly of the first jet will take place early next year

Honda Aircraft team and the Echelon wing

Cape Air To Add Eight Caravans for Montana Service

Will introduce aircraft in 2027 to the Montana network

Textron Aviation Cessna Grand Caravan EX