Marines push forward with unmanned helo testing in Afghanistan

A team comprised of 16 Kaman technicians and eight Marines are conducting a six-month evaluation of two of the company’s K-Max unmanned cargo helicopters at Camp Dwyer in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, reports the Associated Press.

So far the unmanned cargo helos have flown 20 transport missions – primarily consisting of thousands of Meals Ready to Eat and spare parts to forward operating bases -- since the first flight was conducted last Dec. 17, Marine officials told AP.

The Army and Marines want to press the unmanned cargo helos into operation to reduce the exposure of road convoys that would ordinarily transport supplies to roadside bombs, the story said.