Even though it ’s still officially a paradigm transport system , theK - max remote-controlled delivery helicopterfrom Lockheed Martin and Kamen has become a workhorse for US Marine Corps But despite its substantial showing throughout the War in Afghanistan , the futurity of this pilotless chopper remains uncertain .
https://gizmodo.com/the-war-zone-cargo-copter-that-lifts-6-000-pounds-witho-5921101
It was only supposed to last six months when the platform first entered in the Afghanistan theater in December of 2011 . However , three and a half years later , in May of this year , the two K - Max prototypes finally made it back to the states and is currently undergoing expert assessments in a Lockheed adeptness . Its extended service time is a direct result of the platform ’s exceptional performance according Captian Patrick Smith , computer program executive officer for multi - mission UAS operations . “ This excelled beyond anything we thought potential , ” he latterly differentiate Flight Global .
But despite its achiever in theater , the Marines have not yet decided whether or not to full fund the program as an ongoing asset . accord to Smith , the USMC is discussing the platform ’s future use but has yet to establish a timeline for doing so . “ I ca n’t say when this will happen ; this is still right now in a basal stage , ” hetold Flight Global .
But give the increased risk that modern military convoy face — from sniper fire to IEDs — the USMC has an obligation to protect its service men and women from danger and enforce the K - Max as an on-going program would be a fantastical first whole tone . In the meanwhile , Lockheed is plan a turn of trial flights in the coming month to see the feasibleness of using the autonomous political program as a delivery vehicle for the ship’s company ’s approaching remote-controlled ground fomite at Ft . Benning , GA . [ Flight Global ]
Lockheed Martin
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , science , and culture newsworthiness in your inbox day by day .
newsworthiness from the future , extradite to your present .
You May Also Like
