Tue, Dec 13, 2011
The first time we hard about the adaptation of the incredible
Kaman K-Max helo to an unmanned role, we weren't sure we believed
it... but the recent data coming out of the trials and deployment
suggest that this is an idea whose time has come.
Lockheed Martin and Kaman joined forces to adapt the K-MAX to an
unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capable of autonomous or remote
controlled cargo delivery -- with a specific mission in mind --
battlefield cargo resupply.
The K-MAX UAS allows the Marines to deliver supplies by day or
night to precise locations without risk to personnel. It boasts
some exceptional capabilities... such as the ability to fly at
higher altitudes with a larger payload than any other rotary wing
UAS, and via its four hook carousel, the K-MAX UAS has the cojones
to deliver more cargo to more locations in just one flight.
It's been a grueling development process... The R&D team has
flown the K-MAX UAS nearly 400 hours in autonomous mode since
joining forces in 2007. The rugged system can lift and deliver a
full 6,000 lbs of cargo at sea level and more than 4,000 pounds at
15,000 ft density altitude. ANN is told that the K-MAX 'continues
to exceed expectations' as an unmanned platform' having met all
unmanned milestones to date while the piloted bird still continues
to build a serious rep in the commercial logging and fire-fighting
industries. The aircraft remains optionally piloted for ease of
National Airspace Operations, occasional manned mission
flexibility, ferry flights, rapid integration of new mission
equipment, while allowing rapid return-to-service activities.
To date, the K-Max fleet has accumulated more than 255,000
flight hours since 1994.
More News
Aero Linx: International Flying Farmers IFF is a not-for-profit organization started in 1944 by farmers who were also private pilots. We have members all across the United States a>[...]
From 2017 (YouTube Version): Remembrances Of An Israeli Air Force Test Pilot Early in 2016, ANN contributor Maxine Scheer traveled to Israel, where she had the opportunity to sit d>[...]
"We renegotiated what our debt restructuring is on a lot of our debts, mostly with the family. Those debts are going to be converted into equity..." Source: Excerpts from a short v>[...]
Also: B-29 Superfortress Reunion, FAA Wants Controllers, Spirit Airlines Pulls Back, Gogo Galileo Van's Aircraft posted a short video recapping the goings-on around their reorganiz>[...]
Chart Supplement US A flight information publication designed for use with appropriate IFR or VFR charts which contains data on all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports open to >[...]