Lockheed Martin and Kaman K-MAX have completed an unmanned cargo assessment for the U.S. Navy.
Lockheed Martin-Kaman’s unmanned helicopter successfully completes Navy’s Quick Reaction Assessment.
The Quick Reaction Assessment (QRA) which lasted for five days was for the Cargo Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program.
In December 2010, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $45.8 million contract for utilizing autonomous flying K-MAX helicopters in a U.S. Marine Corps program for evaluating unmanned cargo resupply. A Cargo UAS is expected to be deployed to support the air and ground logistics operations of Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The unmanned K-MAX UAS is designed for resupplying Marines in remote locations and in the war-zone.
Lockheed Martin designed the mission control and management systems, while Kaman Helicopters designed the platform for K-MAX. The systems endowed the K-MAX with excellent flight autonomy over long distances and in remote environments.
The unmanned K-MAX had earlier completed testing of electromagnetic environmental effects at the Pax River. The test measured and provided the electromagnetic susceptibility of the aircraft to specific frequencies. The susceptibility could critically affect the flight and aircraft systems.
The Airborne Systems director at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors, Roger Il Grande, stated that the unmanned K-MAX UAS exceeded the objectives of cargo delivery during the five-day QRA test.
Thirty days after completion of the QRA, the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) will be releasing a formal report.