WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace Corp. have formally offered the K-MAX unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy.
The offering was in response to a request from the Naval Air Systems Command for an unmanned air cargo platform.
The companies said they successfully demonstrated the unmanned K-MAX system earlier this year, resupplying troops in a simulated environment similar to forward operating bases in Afghanistan. The demonstration was conducted under a contract with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
"The aircraft offers significantly reduced operational and logistics costs compared to transporting cargo by convoy or manned helicopter," said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president. "We've paired Lockheed Martin's mission management system with the proven rugged K-MAX airframe to give Marines the lift and reliability they need in theater. More importantly, it keeps them out of harm's way."
Kaman also performed a cargo airdrop demonstration in partnership with the U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in April.
