“This demonstration signifies the potential for adapting proven unmanned systems and their advanced sensors and mission suites to augment manned firefighting operations,  more than doubling the amount of time on station,” said Kaman Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Neal Keating. The unmanned K-MAX provided heavy lift services by autonomously dipping water from a pond and delivering it precisely to the fire location.

The K-MAX is manufactured by Kaman and outfitted with an advanced mission suite by Lockheed Martin. The unmanned K-MAX has a twin-rotor design that maximizes lift capability in the most challenging environments. The heavy lift capability delivers effective firefighting and resupply operations to firefighters on the ground.

Using its electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) camera, K-MAX can locate hot spots and designate the location to its operator for water drops at that location. K-MAX has proven the ability to autonomously conduct resupply operations with the capability to deliver to four different locations. Its flexible multi-hook carousel is suited for attachments such as water buckets, litters and medical supplies in a highly stable system, allowing it to accomplish a wide range of missions.