Small Honing Beacon Increases UAV Cargo Delivery Accuracy

By Caroline Rees / 09 Jul 2012

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

An unmanned K-MAX flies in Yuma, Ariz. A small beacon can improve cargo-delivery accuracy to within three meters.

Lockheed Martin has developed a small honing beacon to help increase the accuracy of cargo drops by UAVs. The beacon is small enough to easily fit in a Marine’s pack and could soon provide a novel way to call in quick, accurate resupply drops.

The device is made to work in concert with Lockheed’s unmanned K-MAX helicopter, which is already providing Marines at forward operating bases in Afghanistan with everything from ammunition to water.

“The beacons provide K-MAX with improved accuracy, allowing the aircraft to deliver critical cargo to remote sites within three meters of the designated drop-off point,” Lockheed officials said in a news release following a recent demonstration of the device at Fort Pickett, Va. “Deliveries of cargo as large as a compact car can be placed down with pinpoint accuracy even at night or in harsh weather.”

During the April demonstration by the Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, K-MAX made 10 precision drops by honing in on a beacon. All were made within three meters of the target and two drops within one meter.

Neither the company nor Navy aviation officials could provide a timeline for fielding the device, though Lockheed said several beacons should eventually see field testing with Marines downrange. Two more demonstrations will be conducted by the Army in April 2013 and January 2014.

Two K-MAX helicopters have been downrange with Marines for nearly seven months, delivering more than 1 million pounds of cargo. The helicopter has performed well, and Marine officials have ordered an extension of the deployment to keep them flying in theater at least through September, according to Bettina Chavanne, a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman.

On average, the two deployed K-MAX helos fly about six missions per night, said Terry Fogarty, general manager for the unmanned aerial systems product group at Kaman Aerospace, the helicopter’s original builder. They’re able to fly up to 100 nautical miles round trip, depending on cargo payload. Flying primarily from large bases to smaller FOBs, they can accomplish resupply missions in less than an hour that would take 12 to 15 hours by ground convoy, he said.

Source: Marine Corps Times

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

TUALCOM Showcases Communications Solutions & RF Equipment at Defense Conference

TUALCOM participated in the Loitering Munitions Conference in Virginia, showcasing its latest technologies and sharing insights on future electronic warfare and navigation systems

Apr 28, 2025
Hitec Introduces Specialized Servos for Demanding Environments

Hitec will be releasing a new line of servos in 2025, featuring specialized models for redundant systems, underwater use, and drone applications

Apr 28, 2025
Acecore to Supply Tactical Quadcopter Drones for Dutch Military

Acecore Technologies is providing its Zoe M4 quadcopters to the Royal Netherlands Army, supporting bridge assessments and troop movements with real-time 2D and 3D mapping capabilities

Apr 28, 2025
Advanced AI-Powered Drone, Autopilot & Hardware Solutions

Airvolute's open-architecture NVIDIA-based autopilots and UAS platforms have been utilized by NATO members as well as some of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies

Apr 25, 2025
Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Apr 25, 2025
Nanomotion’s Velox Gimbal Enhances Border Surveillance Capabilities

Discover how Nanomotion’s Velox gimbal is enhancing drone surveillance with unmatched coverage, stability, and tracking—ideal for advanced border security operations

Apr 25, 2025

Featured Content

Apollo & Moonrock Launch $122.5m Drone, eVTOL Insurance Facility

Apollo and Moonrock take the lead on new $122.5m drone, eVTOL and aviation innovation insurance facility

Apr 22, 2025
ParaZero Unveils Advanced Parachute Recovery System

ParaZero launches the SafeAir M4, an advanced parachute recovery system designed for the DJI Matrice 4, enhancing drone safety, compliance, and mission readiness

Apr 17, 2025
Compact High Resolution MWIR Zoom Lens Released for UAV & ISR Platforms

MKS Instruments introduces the Ophir SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 zoom lens, engineered for compact MWIR systems demanding long-range detection and high-resolution thermal imaging

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.