After lifting more than 4.5 million pounds of cargo and conducting thousands of delivery missions for the U.S. Marine Corps, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] and Kaman Aerospace Corporation [NYSE: KAMN] K-MAX cargo unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has returned to the United States following a nearly three-year deployment in Afghanistan.

In 2011, K-MAX became the first unmanned helicopter to deliver cargo in theater for the U.S. Marine Corps. As troops were frequent targets of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attacks, the K-MAX answered the call to reduce the number of truck resupply convoys and their troop escorts to protect soldiers on the ground.

Manufactured by Kaman Aerospace Corporation and outfitted with its mission package of systems and sensors, the heavy-lifting K-MAX UAS is a transformational technology that can lift 6,000 pounds of cargo at sea level. Capable of flying delivery missions day and night, K-MAX can reach remote locations without risking a life.

“We are proud to welcome home the unmanned K-MAX Team from their successful deployment in theater,” said Dan Spoor, vice president of Aviation and Unmanned Systems at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business. “K-MAX exceeded expectations as an unmanned platform in keeping our troops out of harm’s way, and we continue to develop onboard technology and autonomy for future military and civil missions.”

With more than five decades experience in unmanned and robotic systems, Lockheed Martin offers multiple solutions for air, land and sea. From the depths of the ocean to the rarified air of the stratosphere, Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems help our military, civil and commercial customers accomplish their most difficult challenges.

Lockheed Martin press release