Advanced Aircraft Will Be Based On K-MAX

Representatives with Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace Corporation told ANN this week the companies have teamed to market advanced manned and unmanned helicopter systems worldwide for government applications. Lockheed Martin and Kaman intend to build upon the performance of Kaman’s K-MAX Aerial Truck, which has demonstrated its potential as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Lockheed Martin will act as the prime contractor and marketer of the resultant technology.

Under this partnership, Lockheed Martin and Kaman will develop an advanced technology unmanned version of the K-MAX, previously approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration for operation in the National Airspace System. Using its systems integration expertise, Lockheed Martin will focus on advanced UAS flight control for truly autonomous military operations and also will provide mission-specific avionics, sensors and weapons solutions. Lockheed Martin and Kaman will also establish a long-term logistics program for worldwide support. 

The K-MAX helicopter -- with its unique, and quiet, counter-rotating intermeshing rotor design that requires no tail rotor -- delivers outstanding lift performance, including best-in-class, high-altitude capability. The K-MAX has accumulated more than 200,000 flight hours in demanding environments.

"Lockheed Martin Systems Integration is excited to work with Kaman Aerospace, Helicopters Division to provide our customers with proven and reliable vertical-lift solutions," said Michele Evans, vice president of Aircraft Systems at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "The proven K-MAX helicopter is about to enter a new realm of safety and performance as an optionally piloted UAS that can be configured to conduct an unlimited number of duties with its outstanding and useful payload of 6,000 pounds."

"Kaman is pleased to team with Lockheed Martin," said Sal Bordonaro, president of the Helicopter Division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation. "The K-MAX has proven its capabilities, at very high altitudes and in hot environments, and has demonstrated more than twelve hours of continuous flight operations as a UAS. Working with Lockheed Martin, the K-MAX will realize even greater potential and hopefully serve our forces in a capacity to reduce the burden on our ground and aviation forces."

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration has successfully integrated complex military systems on a variety of major rotary-wing programs, including the US Navy’s MH-60R/S helicopters, the Royal Navy Merlin Mk1, and more recently as the prime contractor for the VH-71A Presidential helicopter replacement fleet. Lockheed Martin will ensure the Manned/Unmanned K-MAX is survivable and effective on the future battlefield.

The company will use its KineForce Mission Management System and the KineCommand Command and Control System, as well as technologies to enable ease of operation, developed under previous DARPA UAS contracts. The Unmanned K-MAX will interface with existing ground control systems and operate with a small tablet controller for remote operations.

FMI: www.kaman.aero, www.lockheedmartin.com