The Lockheed Martin-led unmanned K-MAX team successfully completed a five-day quick reaction assessment (QRA) for the US Navy’s Cargo unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) programme.

“The autonomous flying K-MAX is designed to resupply marines on the battlefield and in remote locations,” said Roger Il Grande, Director of Airborne Systems at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors. “Through various scenarios during QRA, the unmanned K-MAX UAS performed extremely well, exceeding the cargo delivery objectives of the assessment.”

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $45.8 million contract in December 2010 for unmanned K-MAX helicopters to perform in a US Marine Corps evaluation of unmanned cargo resupply. The Navy intends to field a Cargo UAS this fall for a six-month deployment to augment Marine Corps ground and air logistics operations in Afghanistan.

“The quick reaction assessment proved sustainment of a cargo-carrying capability in an operational environment,” said Captain Patrick Smith, Cargo UAS Program Manager. “We look forward to deploying a capability that will supplement rotary wing assets and reduce Marine Corps exposure to improvised explosive devices in theatre.”