Military reveals pilotless cargo drone that can deliver supplies

[NiceFarmer]

The U.S. military is testing a revolutionary new drone for its arsenal, a pilotless helicopter intended to fly cargo missions to remote outposts where frequent roadside bombs threaten access by road convoys.

Surveillance drones for monitoring enemy activity and armed versions for launching airstrikes have become a trademark of America's wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East.
But this is the first time a chopper version designed for transport has been used operationally.

Where no drone has gone before: The military is testing K-MAX drones, which can deliver freight to remote areas

Two unmanned models of the Kaman K-MAX helicopters and a team of 16 company technicians and eight Marines are conducting a six-month evaluation program for the new craft at Camp Dwyer, a Marine Corps airfield in the Garmsir district of southern Helmand Province.
The craft have flown 20 transport missions since the inaugural flight on December 17, said Major Kyle O'Connor, the officer in charge of the detachment.

Military reveals revolutionary pilotless cargo drone that can deliver supplies to territories plagued by roadside bombs | Mail Online

 

[OrionHunter]

There are unmanned combat helicopters too, like the Fire Scout...

But while the American Army has armed it to the teeth for combat in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, the Navy are hoping it will save them money by reducing the need to send out expensive manned flights on routine jobs. Fire Scout can also collect data about the environment and sent it back to base - giving officers an eye in the sky.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has outfitted the U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with a weapons system. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System laser-guided 70mm rocket – in production for the Navy since 2010 – will allow ship commanders to identify and engage hostile targets without calling in other aircraft for support.

Another addition is the FIRE-X, an amalgam of Northrop Grumman’s sensors and software transplanted into the body of a Bell 407 copter. The idea is to make an even more powerful robot helicopter for surveillance and cargo lifts.

Cheers!

 

[NiceFarmer]

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