UAV · Cargo UAV
K-MAX (unmanned)
Kaman Aerospace · United States
Unmanned/optionally-piloted intermeshing-rotor (synchropter) helicopter for autonomous cargo resupply; deployed by USMC in Afghanistan 2011.
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Cargo / Logistics |
| Price | ~$8M cited (CSV); not officially confirmed. |
| Subtype | Cargo UAV |
| Role | Autonomous cargo resupply |
| Class | US Group 5 |
| Classification | Unmanned cargo rotorcraft |
| Mission | Cargo resupply, Logistics |
| Datalink | LOS and SATCOM |
| Variants | Unmanned K-MAX / CQ-24A, K-MAX TITAN |
| Notable partners | Lockheed Martin (autonomy/mission systems), Kaman Aerospace (airframe) |
| Operators | US Marine Corps |
| Frame type | Multirotor |
| Propulsion | Turboprop |
| Range (km) | 1852 |
| Combat-proven | Yes |
| Export status | Manned variant exported commercially |
| Launch method | Vertical takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Optionally-piloted / autonomous |
| Endurance (min) | 720 |
| Recovery method | Vertical landing |
| Year introduced | 2010 |
| Max payload (kg) | 2722 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 185 |
| Standard sensors | LIDAR (autonomous landing), Mission cameras |
| Production status | In service |
| Notable engagements | USMC unmanned cargo resupply in Afghanistan (2011-2014); first unmanned helicopter combat resupply |
| Conflicts deployed in | Afghanistan |
| Airframe / lift type | Single-rotor / helicopter |
| Control / autonomy level | RC line-of-sight – BVLOS, Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop) |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – civil | Delivery / logistics |
| Mission / use case – military | Logistics / resupply |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Turbine / jet |
| Range / endurance | Long range (>650 km) |
| Signature / detectability | RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High (150–400 km/h) |
| Threat vector | Smuggling / payload delivery |
| Weight / class | Class III – MALE (>600 kg) |
Review-stage catalogue data — specs corroborated from manufacturer and secondary sources; not for procurement decisions. Source: www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/k-max.html