USMC to deploy K-Max to Afghanistan
The US Marine Corps (USMC) will deploy the Lockheed Martin and Kaman unmanned K-MAX to Afghanistan next month.
The decision follows the successful completion of a five-day Quick Reaction Assessment for the US Navy's (USN’s) Cargo UAS programme. A formal report, released last week by Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, confirmed that the unmanned K-MAX exceeded the USN and marine requirement to deliver 6,000 lbs of cargo per day.
‘This announcement underscores K-MAX's strong performance and the strength of the Lockheed Martin/Kaman team,’ said Dan Spoor, VP of Aviation Systems in Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors. ‘We are fully prepared to deploy our system and augment Marine Corps ground and air logistics in Afghanistan.’
K-MAX will be the USN's first-ever cargo unmanned aircraft system to deploy in an operational environment. The deploying team recently concluded training and flight tests at its base in Twenty-nine Palms, California, and is currently preparing the aircraft for shipment into theatre. The team consists of active duty mission commanders, air vehicle operators and Lockheed Martin employees.
‘I am very confident in both the team and the K-MAX UAS to successfully perform their missions while deployed,’ said R Adm Bill Shannon, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. ‘K-MAX has the capability to quickly deliver cargo, thus getting troops off the roads and allowing them to focus on other missions.’
‘We are extremely honoured to have been selected for deployment by the navy,’ said Sal Bordonaro, division president at Kaman Helicopters. ‘We are committed to providing the Marine Corps with the life-saving unmanned capability of our proven airframe, reducing the risk to our forces by taking the cargo resupply mission from the ground to the air.’
Since partnering in 2007, Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace have successfully transformed Kaman's proven K-MAX power-lift manned helicopter into a UAS capable of autonomous or remote controlled cargo delivery.
Kaman designed the K-MAX platform, and Lockheed Martin has designed the helicopter's mission management and control systems to provide the K-MAX with exceptional flight autonomy in remote environments and over long distances.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
![DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract]()
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
![Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems]()
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
