Multiple Guided High-Altitude Airdrops Among The
Accomplishments
An unmanned K-MAX helicopter recently made aviation history by
successfully completing multiple guided airdrops via sling load at
10,000 ft above sea level. In four separate flights conducted
January 24-25, 2011, at the Army’s Yuma Proving Ground near
Yuma, AZ, the K-MAX successfully airdropped 16 payloads; 10 GPS
guided Joint Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (JPADS), two of
which were triggered remotely from the Unmanned K-MAX ground
control station. Payloads included medical equipment, food,
simulated leaflets and bulk cargo.
K-MAX Testing
Among the “firsts” achieved by the optionally
piloted aircraft:
Largest payload, 4,400lbs, airdropped via sling load from a
helicopter (four 1,100 lb payloads).
The highest altitude for payloads airdropped from a sling load
(10,000 ft above sea level).
The first airdrop of four guided JPADS systems from a sling
load
The first airdrop for the High Altitude Low Opening (HALO)
parachute system from a helicopter sling load (prototype HALO
Leaflet Delivery System)
First demonstrated non-line-of-sight (NLOS) ability to dynamically
re-task slingload JPADS ground target points.
The effort was executed under a Cooperative Research &
Development Agreement (CRADA) with support from the Office of the
Secretary of Defense Rapid Fielding Directorate (OSD RFD), Joint
Medical Distance Support and Evacuation Joint Capability Technology
Demonstration (JMDSE JCTD) with U.S. Joint Forces Command as
Operational Manager and US Army NSRDEC as Technical Manager.
“This was a very impressive and successful
demonstration,” said Richard Benney, division leader, Aerial
Delivery Equipment and Systems Division of NSRDEC. “The
Unmanned K-MAX met all of our objectives. Transitioning this
capability to the warfighter could be the next step.”
File Photo
“These airdrops prove K-MAX’s ability to provide a
safe, low-cost supply delivery method to the troops,” said
Terry Fogarty, general manager of Kaman’s Unmanned Aircraft
Systems product group. “The aircraft’s ability to
successfully perform high altitude missions contributes to the
flexibility and security we can offer the Marines with
K-MAX.”
Kaman and industry partner Lockheed Martin Corporation are
developing the Unmanned K-MAX to meet an urgent U.S. Marine
Corps requirement for cargo unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
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.