We all how pivotal is airdrop facilities, both for military and relied operations so here is something that would make the process more mechanical and sophisticated. A 6000lb power lifting K-MAX helicopter was engineered with unmanned capabilities and tested to airdrop cargo by parachute as an exercise to see how efficient the process would turn out when resupplying troops in the field. This test simulation is believed to save lives, aid in delivering supplies to soldiers on site while avoiding threats of attack in combat environments.
Lockheed Martin, an advanced tech big wig partnered with Kaman Aerospace Corporation to conduct these airdrop tests. The Army’s low cost low altitude cross parachute was used for 11 cargo airdrop tests. Autonomous and remote control sling load delivery over both line-of-sight and satellite-base beyond-line-of-sight data links was used during the demonstration. Kama foresees use of single and/or multiple Joint Precision Airdrop Systems (JPADS) from higher altitudes that would help in dealing with higher threat environments when low-level flying turns out outright risky.
The unmanned K-MAX helicopter with autonomous flight qualifications could be maneuvered both in day and night conditions. Lockheed Martin Corp believes that this airdrop capability will give Army or Marines an alternate resupply option.
