By Marina Malenic
Boeing [BA] yesterday submitted its response to the Naval Air Systems Command’s request for proposals for cargo unmanned aircraft services to be used by the Marine Corps.
“We are convinced the A160T is an ideal system to deliver cargo services to the warfighter on the front lines,” said Vic Sweberg, director, Boeing Unmanned Airborne Systems. “We’ve proven that the Hummingbird can deliver cargo autonomously to forward operating bases, while being monitored via satellite communication at a ground control station, or deliveries can be adjusted at the delivery site by Marines with a hand-held controller.”
The A160T has the world-record for endurance in its weight class, according to Boeing. In 2008, a Hummingbird flew for 18.7 hours without refueling and landed with an approximate 90 minutes of fuel remaining, company spokesman Marc Sklar said via e-mail.
A Lockheed Martin [LMT]-Kaman [KAMN] team is also expected to bid on the contract to provide a rotary wing cargo drone for Marine Corps urgent resupply needs in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lockheed Martin and Kaman developed K-MAX for autonomous battlefield resupply and similar missions. It is an optionally piloted version of Kaman’s manned power lift helicopter used extensively in the logging industry.
Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Bettina Chavanne said yesterday that the team is “eager to deliver a competitive and cost-effective” proposal by Friday’s deadline.
“We’ve paired Lockheed Martin’s mission management system with the rugged K-MAX airframe, which will give Marines the lift and reliability they need in theater,” she said. “The aircraft offers significantly reduced operational and logistics costs compared to transporting cargo by convoy or manned helicopter. More importantly, it keeps our Marines out of harm’s way.”
Responses are due Friday, according to a NAVAIR request for proposals RFP issued last month.
Early this year, K-MAX and Hummingbird both demonstrated resupply capabilities and key performance requirements at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. The demonstration requirements included cruise flight at 15,000 feet; hover out of ground effect at 12,000 feet; the ability to deliver 2,500 pounds in six hours; and single and multiple cargo drop capability.
NAVAIR is looking for technically acceptable solutions to meet the immediate rapid action deployment of cargo UAS into theater and help get trucks off the road in Afghanistan. The command plans to select a system or systems for a “quick reaction assessment.” Based on the results of the test, it has the option to deploy selected systems into theater late next year.