Lockheed Martin has switched its unmanned firefighting team around as the K-MAX optionally-piloted vehicle and Stalker UAS line up to conduct a combined capability demonstration in New York State later this month.
According to Lockheed Martin, the US Department of Interior (DoI), among other parties, has been invited to attend. The demonstration will showcase the Stalker performing a staged search for wildfires before passing on the information gathered to the K-MAX to extinguish the flames.
Kevin Lewelling, from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works’ Rapid Operations Programs portfolio, said that unmanned systems brought a ‘significant benefit’ in conducting and supporting firefighting operations.