An unmanned Lockheed Martin K-Max helicopter crashed near Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 5 June. The mission operatin...
The mission operating in unmanned mode, was nearing the end of its resupply flight when the mishap happened.
Two K-MAX were deployed to Afghanistan in November 2011.
The K-MAX UAS enable US Marines to deliver supplies either day or night to precise locations without risk of losing life in the process. The aircraft can fly at higher altitudes with a larger payload than any other rotary wing UAS.
The two K-MAX helicopters were recently upgraded, receiving extended-range auxiliary fuel tanks to expand their reach farther to remote regions where special operations forces operate.
Developed by Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace, K-MAX has proven it can carry the U.S. Marine Corps-required 4,500 pounds per sortie and 30,000 pounds per day in Afghanistan. Since being deployed, the two helicopters have flown more than 30,000 hours during more than 1,000 missions and delivered more than three million pounds of supplies.
