An unmanned helicopter designed to lift supplies and equipment to troops in Afghanistan is being developed for the US military.
The Kaman K-MAX helicopter has been adapted by defence company Lockheed Martin to fly without a pilot and can carry up to 6,000lbs of cargo - more than the aircrafts empty weight.
Transporting equipment to troops at Forward Operating Bases on the frontline would be the K-MAXs primary use.
It would help reduce the need for large vehicle convoys lowering the risk of soldiers being ambushed or injured by IEDs improvised explosive devices.
And it can be flown into under-fire areas without risk to aircrew.
Laptop controlledA ground-based operator using a laptop is able to control the aircraft. They can input a flight plan detailing the destination and route.
It can also be flown hands-on from the cockpit if necessary and uses counter-rotating intermeshing rotor blades to generate its lifting power.
The adapted K-MAX can winch four different loads on its cargo hook and each can be programmed to release at different times. Its maximum airspeed with an external load is 80 knots 92mph.
It can also fly in weather conditions that would ground other helicopters and could also be used to lighten the workload of aircrew ensuring they get enough rest.
The helicopter is being developed for the US Armys Autonomous Technologies for Unmanned Air Systems ATUAS programme.
However the US Marine Corps could make use of the aircraft.
In Lockheed Martins contract to develop the helicopter the US military describes the project as having an "indefinite delivery" of an "indefinite quantity", so a precise deployment date is currently unknown.
But if testing goes to plan its thought it could be sent to Afghanistan for assessment sometime towards the end of 2011.
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