Deployment Extended For K-MAX Unmanned Aerial Cargo Hauler As It Exceeds Million-Pound Milestone

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2012 Two unmanned K-MAX helicopters have delivered more than one million pounds in less than four months in support of the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan and will remain in theater until September on a deployment extension. The aircraft, a joint effort by Lockheed Martin LMT -0.86%and Kaman Aerospace KAMN -0.22% , is the first unmanned helicopter to deliver cargo and resupply troops in a combat zone. They have been keeping a steady pace of six missions per day, with record load deliveries ranging from a single 4,200-pound sling load to 28,800 pounds lifted in a single day. During operations in Afghanistan, previously scheduled to end in June, the aircraft has met or exceeded all expectations with less than one maintenance man-hour per flight hour. As a result, the Marine Corps has extended the K-MAX deployment through the end of the fiscal year, September 30. “K-MAX has proven its value to us in-theater, enabling us to safely deliver cargo to forward areas,” said Marine Corps Maj. Kyle O’Connor, who is overseeing the deployment. “We are moving cargo without putting any Marines, soldiers or airmen at risk. If we had a fleet of these things flying 24-7, we could move cargo around and […]
Deployment Extended For K-MAX Unmanned Aerial Cargo Hauler As It Exceeds Million-Pound Milestone