Aircraft
K-Max Proves Value of Unmanned Vertical Lift
The K-Max unmanned cargo-lifting helicopter is controlled from a ‘toughbook’ laptop. It will be operating for the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan into next year. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The K-Max unmanned cargo-lifting helicopter is controlled from a ‘toughbook’ laptop. It will be operating for the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan into next year. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The U.S. Marine Corps has extended Lockheed Martin’s contract to operate two K-Max unmanned helicopters in Afghanistan into next year. Operating there since December 2011, the converted Kaman cargo-lifting machines have demonstrated a 97-percent operational availability, according to Lockheed Martin. The company hopes that either the Marines or the U.S. Army will create a formal program of record for the K-Max, for at least one unit operating six helicopters.

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