Demonstration of Unmanned Supply Helicopter To US Army

Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace Corporation have demonstrated to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps the feasibility of transporting supplies to ground troops by an unmanned helicopter.

During 45 minutes of operation at Ft. Eustis, VA, an unmanned K-MAX helicopter demonstrated autonomous take-off and landing, pick-up and delivery of a 3,000-pound sling load, and the ability to autonomously re-plan and detour from its designated route to accommodate changes to mission requirements and battlefield threats. The demonstration also illustrated the ability of a single ground operator to use both spoken and data commands to control the aircraft via data link, perform precision maneuvers at the pick-up or drop zones, and easily transfer control to another ground operator for maximum interoperability.

The April 23 demonstration was attended by representatives of the Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), the Combined Arms Support Command, the Training and Doctrine Command, Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center and the Marine Corps Development Command.

The K-MAX unmanned aerial system was controlled by Lockheed Martin's KineForce mission management system, which is designed to translate the ground controller's objectives into mission executable plans, provide autonomous flight control capability, understand the dynamic battlefield environment, and react to threats. To command and control the K-MAX, a ground controller used a hand-held tablet computer - compatible with a common interface system used by the U.S. Army for control of unmanned aerial vehicles - to define the mission plan and monitor the aircraft during flight.

The Kaman designed-and-built K-MAX helicopter features a unique intermeshing rotor system that eliminates the need for a tail rotor, directing all of the power from the Honeywell T5317A-1 gas turbine engine to the main rotors. The design gives the aircraft a one-to-one lift ratio, enabling the K-MAX aircraft to lift up to 6,000 pounds - more than the aircraft's own weight - and providing superior high altitude and hot environment performance and low noise signature. Currently flown as a manned power lifter by the logging and construction industries, the aircraft has low operating costs per flight hour, and has maintained a high reliability rate over more than 225,000 flight hours in demanding environments.

Kaman Aerospace, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation, markets and supports its SH-2G and K-MAX helicopters, is a subcontractor for complex metallic and composite structures and components for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, designs and manufactures missile and bomb fuzing devices for the U.S. and allied militaries, and is a leading manufacturer of widely-used proprietary airframe bearings and components. Kaman Corporation conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

Bushmaster Copperhead Utility Vehicle Launched Vehicle at Eurosatory

Thales is pleased to announce the launch of its armoured combat support vehicle, known as Bushmaster Copperhead, at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris, France. This Utility or ‘Ute’, to use the Australian slang, is a 4-wheel drive cab chassis protected logistic vehicle that can carry a 4,000 kg load on its 9.4m2 tray. It also provides crew the protection, mobility and combat flexibility to fulfil the ever growing mission needs in demanding situations encountered by military forces around the world.

The Bushmaster Copperhead is the latest addition to the Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV), and uses the same single shell V-shaped hull to provide protection against mine blast and improvised explosive devices (IED). This technology is enhanced by upgradeable ballistic protection options to the crew cabin and a protection system already operationally proven in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A cruising speed of 100 km/h, maximum range of 800 km, high clearance for obstacles and river crossings, tight turning circle, plus the capacity to go off road in all conditions, give Bushmaster Copperheads the ability to safely carry personnel, supplies and equipment to any frontline in any environment.

However, what makes the vehicle truly unique is the combination of protection systems and tactical mobility while carrying a substantial load.

Backed by an international supply chain, mechanical components are selected for their global availability, and are common with Bushmaster while providing Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the their specific needs.

The Copperhead marks a significant achievement for Thales Australia’s design and construction team.The latest addition to the Bushmaster family of vehicles offers enhanced safety features while increasing the operational capability of the armed forces.

Background Information

The Bushmaster Family of Vehicles

The Thales Bushmaster Family of Vehicles (FOV) are modular-designed armoured vehicles offering high levels of protected mobility for combat, combat support and combat service support troops.

Their fully integrated protection, based on a monocoque hull, makes the Bushmaster FOV highly mobile while providing occupant protection from small arms, mine blast and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.

The vehicles are operationally combat-proven, highly capable and affordable. They offer greatly enhanced protection, mobility, mission performance, reliability, mission flexibility and operational sustainability.

The adaptability of the vehicles enables system integrated approach to further modular protection and upgrades enhancements, as well as remote weapons stations, electronic warfare protection devices, and combat and control systems.

Thales has worked closely with end users to produce a single platform that can be adapted into different applications to support a wide range of operational roles.

Current variants of the Bushmaster FOV already in operation around the world include:

-- Patrol Vehicle (Troop Carrier)
-- Command Vehicle
-- Assault Pioneer Vehicle
-- Ambulance
-- Direct Fire Support Weapons Vehicle
-- Mortar variant
-- Copperhead
-- FireKing

The Copperhead is an armoured combat support vehicle and, is the newest addition to the Bushmaster FOV. The cab chassis 4 x 4 logistic vehicles variant is designed to meet the ever growing operational requirements for protected mobility of not only the crew but also the cargo. It can carry loads up to 4,000kg while still offering the mobility and protection of the Bushmaster FOV.

Also part of the range is the FireKing, a purpose-built fire fighting vehicle. It offers the world’s only crew survival module in the event of the vehicle being engulfed in flames, plus unrivalled protection and mobility compared to commercial fire fighting vehicles. It is currently in service with fire fighters in Australia.

The Bushmaster FOV mechanical components are selected for their global availability and supportability, which gives Thales the ability to offer worldwide Through Life Support (TLS). Thales is always looking at innovative support packages to reduce the customer's risk while tailoring TLS packages to meet the customer's specific needs.

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales’s leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Thales Australia is the leading defence systems and engineering company in Australia and is also present in civil sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing 3,700 people in over 35 sites around the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues in 2007 amounting to over AUD1 billion.

RAF Reaper for First Time , Fires Weapons

An RAF Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle used its weapons system in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan for the first time this week.

As with any other munitions this was carried out under strict Rules of Engagement.

Unlike the United States Air Forces Reapers (Predators), which are frequently used to provide Close Air Support to troops, RAF Reapers are used predominately to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) data to coalition and UK forces on Operations.

39 Squadron, which is the RAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, was reformed in January this year and operates from Nevada in the USA as part of the USAF 432nd Wing.

The Reaper aircraft are based in Afghanistan but are remotely controlled by satellite link from the USA.

The Officer Commanding 39Sqn, Wing Commander Andy Jeffrey, said:

"Our mission is to provide persistent ISTAR, and where required offensive support to UK and Coalition forces involved in Operations. We are here to make a difference and save lives."

Although it's an RAF Squadron, 39Sqn is comprised of personnel from all three UK services; RAF, Royal Navy and the Army. The mix of different service personnel is seen by Wg Cdr Jeffrey as very much a key asset:

"To have an army soldier or Royal Marine who's had 'boots on the ground' in Afghanistan as part of the Squadron is absolutely fantastic."

During a mission the Reaper is controlled by a pilot and a sensor-operator both of whom are experienced aircrew. In addition, a mission coordinator, present in the ground station alongside the aircrew, is often an experienced soldier or Royal Marine.

Although operating from a purpose built ground station thousands of miles from where the Reaper is actually operating, Wg Cdr Jeffrey was keen to acknowledge the close bond between his Reaper crews and the troops on the ground on operations:

"You are in that fight, you are listening to the guy on the ground, on that radio, and who's taking incoming fire. It comes back to people, of saving lives and making a difference, and we are doing that."