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Improvised explosive devices have changed the way the Marine Corpsengages hostile forces. The need has risen for supplies to reachthe most remote parts of Afghanistan quickly, reliably and safely.Late last year, the Corps began experimenting with the K-MAX - anunmanned helicopter, able to transport large amounts of cargo andreduce the need for convoys. With troops spread across a desolate country with few paved roads,steep mountains, rocky terrain and abrasive weather, the K-MAX hasarrived to help deliver supplies across the harsh lands ofAfghanistan. Presently, convoys are exposed to many potential dangers, such asimprovised explosive devices and ambushes. Both have claimed thelives of Marines in the past. "The need (for an alternate transport solution) came about becausethe Marine Corps wanted to get trucks off the road," said Maj. KyleO'Connor, the detachment officer in charge for Cargo ResupplyUnmanned Aircraft Systems (CRUAS), a component of Marine UnmannedAerial Vehicle Squadron 1. "They wanted to be able to deliver supplies from one locale toanother without putting Marines in danger of IED's," he said. "TheMarine Corps needed a fast, reliable platform with which to deliverto COPs (Combat Outposts)." The K-MAX platform has a unique configuration. The two sets ofrotors are mounted side-by-side and turn in opposite directions.Each rotor on the helicopter is mounted at a slight angle to theother so that the blades can spin simultaneously without colliding.This configuration allows for superior stability and power whileeliminating the need for a tail rotor. K-MAX has, thus far, fulfilled the Corps' request of transportinglarge amounts of cargo over great distances in an expeditiousmanner. O'Connor explained that in the month of March alone, the K-MAXferried approximately 500,000 pounds of cargo and has transportedmore than 1.3 million pounds since its arrival five months ago. Ithas flown roughly 400 missions in theater. O'Connor said the K-MAX has performed so well that the originalsix-month trial has been extended in theater. "It's such a new system for the DoD (Department of Defense) thatthere isn't a whole lot of reliability data for it," he said."Since it's done so well, the deployment extension is going to giveus more time to continue to gather data on its performance andtransport more cargo." The data collected will give Corps officials insight on whether tokeep the K-MAX as a permanent addition to the Corps' unmannedsquadrons. "We're flying to see if there are any issues and see if problemscome up," O'Connor said. While data is being collected, new tactics, techniques andprocedures have been created to weave the K-MAX into everydayoperations across Helmand province. Sgt. Trevor Scarberry, an Air Vehicle Operator with CRUAS said hehas helped create new procedures for the aircraft. "Since no one has done this and it's all brand new, we're having todevelop new ways of doing things," said Scarberry, of Choctaw,Okla. He said new procedures have been implemented for safety, landingzone and air space coordination. One such procedure ensures thesafety of ground crews unloading the K-MAX once it reaches itsdestinations. The intermeshing duel rotors spin within a few feetof the ground and surrounding personnel must be keenly aware of thedown tilt of the rotor blades. Even though the K-MAX is still in its trial run, Scarberry said heis very pleased with the performance of the aircraft. "The precision of the system is amazing," he said. "I've beenimpressed and surprised." In addition to resupplying units on the ground, the K-MAX will alsosupport the reduction of international troops. While NATO forcesprepare to withdraw from Afghanistan, the K-MAX will be workingalongside them. "As the drawdown occurs, there will be fewer vehicles and a greaterdemand for air transportation," O'Connor said. "With K-MAX beingextended, we hope to use it to assist in retrograde operations." O'Connor added since February, the K-MAX has helped retrogradeequipment from several combat outposts and will likely continuethese types of operations in the future. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China FOTGA DP500 , China Vertical Battery Grip for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Nicna Filter.
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