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.