Unmanned K-Max Helicopter Is Going to Afghanistan | Aviation International News

Unmanned K-Max Helicopter Is Going to Afghanistan

Lockheed Martin and Kaman Helicopters announced that the K-Max unmanned helicopter has been selected for deployment to Afghanistan.

The unmanned K-Max helicopter prepares to lift a load during a recent evaluation, which resulted in a go-ahead for deployment to Afghanistan. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

October 10, 2011

Lockheed Martin and Kaman Helicopters announced that the K-Max unmanned helicopter has been selected for deployment to Afghanistan. The optionally piloted machine was evaluated with the Boeing A-160 Hummingbird for a U.S. Marine Corps requirement.

A formal U.S. Navy test report confirmed that the K-Max exceeded the requirement to deliver 6,000 pounds of cargo per day. “K-Max has the ability to deliver cargo quickly, thus getting troops off the roads and allowing them to focus on other missions,” said Rear Admiral Bill Shannon, program executive officer for unmanned aviation and strike weapons. The evaluation took place at the Marine Corps’ training grounds at Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif. It culminated in a five-day Quick Reaction Assessment.

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