Unmanned K-MAX makes first deliveries in Afghanistan

Lockheed Martin's unmanned K-MAX aerial resupply system is now conducting routine operations in Afghanistan, it has been disclosed.

The aircraft is being operated by a detachment of US Marine Corp personnel from UAV Squadron 1 based at Camp Dwyer near Garmsir.

The unit completed its first unmanned cargo delivery in a combat zone using a helicopter in Afghanistan on 17 December.

'We delivered cargo today that was supposed to be delivered by convoy. Now that convoy has three pallets that it does not have to carry,' said Maj Kyle O’Connor, the officer-in-charge of the detachment.

The UAV moved about 3,500 pounds of food and supplies to troops at Combat Outpost Payne. The UAV, an unmanned variant of the K-MAX utility helicopter, completed the delivery in about an hour and a half.

'It is a milestone, certainly. We have delivered a lot of loads in the States during training, testing and evaluation,' said Steven Athanas, a representative from Lockheed Martin. 'Now that we have integrated it into the battlespace, we have gone from what you think can happen -- to what can happen.

'This is a demonstration phase to test the true capabilities of this aircraft and how well it can perform its job in a combat environment,' said O’Connor. 'With every flight in theatre we are collecting data, and at the end of the day we are going to look at all of that data and decide whether or not to make it a programme of record.

'During this phase we will be making some adjustments to make it easier to use, but mostly I think the biggest adjustments will be seeing how many different ways we can use the unmanned aerial system,' said Athanas.

At the end of a six month assessment in Afghanistan, the Marine Corps will have the option to fully implement the platform.

In the meantime, the US Army is preparing to deploy three Boeing A-160 Hummingbirds fitted with the ARGUS wide-area surveillance sensor suite. According to US Army officials, the systems will be in theatre for a year not only to deliver a 'Quick Reaction Capability' but also to develop a formal program of record approach.


Source: By Tony Osborne in London, 04 January 2012- Shephard Group / UV News (www.shephardmedia.com)

Photo: The Lockheed Martin's unmanned K-MAX aerial resupply system (Photo by shephardmedia)

(3.01.2012)