Unmanned load carrying helicopters Japan needs them now.

News channels throughout the world are showing images of manned helicopters flying to drop water on the failing nuclear power station at Fukushima Daiichi Japan. Its just the dull, dangerous or dirty task that unmanned systems will be very good at in near the future.

The multi-mission K-MAX is a 6,000-pound power lifter that maintains performance in hot/high environments. It is well suited for an array of military missions, including aerial re-supply, sensor applications and weapons delivery.  The aircraft may be operated as an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or with a pilot, depending on mission requirements.  As a UAS, K-MAX can move supplies, ammunition, fuel or weapons without risk to personnel, operating 24/7 in adverse weather or in harsh terrain.  As a UAS, the aircraft utilizes Lockheed Martin’s KineForce Mission Management, which provides a single operator with full mission control. Lockheed Martin is also developing the aircraft’s avionics, sensors and weapons capabilities. The unmanned K-MAX will interface with existing ground control systems and operate with a small tablet controller for remote operations.

At its Bloomfield, Conn., facility in late April, Kaman, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), conducted 11 cargo airdrop tests from 300 ft. to 400 ft. above ground level.  Kaman used its four-hook carousel for the drops, and during one flight, demonstrated four airdrops in a single mission.

Kaman performed the airdrops using the Army’s low cost low altitude cross parachute, a one-time-use expendable aerodynamic

decelerator that costs about $375.  Currently used to airdrop supplies from manned aircraft in Afghanistan, the parachute is designed to handle 80 to 600 pound payloads delivered from 150 ft to 300 ft altitudes above ground level.

“These airdrop tests continue our progress to advance the Unmanned K-MAX helicopter as a battlefield cargo delivery system,” said Terry Fogarty, general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Product Group at Kaman Helicopters.  “Airdropping cargo as an option to placing a sling load on the ground can enhance an unmanned aircraft’s survivability while delivering critical supplies in combat environments.”

The Army NSRDEC personnel collaborated in the airdrops.  “The demonstration exceeded our expectations,” said Richard Benney, division leader, Aerial Delivery Equipment and Systems Division.  “This capability will save lives, allowing us to deliver supplies to our troops using unmanned helicopters, while also avoiding the threat to the delivery platform in high-threat areas.”

“The K-MAX UAS was specifically designed for the battlefield cargo resupply mission,” said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president. “K-MAX’s capabilities directly answer the Marine Corps’ requirement to augment ground and air logistics operations, supplement rotary-wing assets and keep warfighters supplied and out of harm’s way.”

The contract includes the delivery of two K-MAX air vehicles and three remote control ground stations to the U.S. Marine Corps for a Quick Reaction Assessment, scheduled for summer 2011.

Perhaps engineers at Lockheed Martin  are getting the KMAX ready for deployment. Having two or three on standby in every country with nuclear power stations might be a forward thinking thing to do.