Kaman's BURRO+ Shows Unprecedented Capabilities at Unmanned Systems Event
(Source: Kaman Aerospace Corp.; issued Nov. 4, 2005)
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama --- Kaman Aerospace Corporation reported that a new-generation Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial System (VT-UAS) showed unprecedented capabilities during a Nov. 1 and 2 Demonstration hosted by the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. The centerpiece of the U.S. Army's Family of Unmanned Systems Experiment (FUSE) Phase I Demonstration, Kaman's Broad area Responsive Resupply Operations (BURRO+) served as the autonomous air delivery vehicle for the experiments.
The BURRO+ VT-UAS broke new ground, delivering and recovering an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to perform a mission. It was the first time a full-scale rotary-wing VT-UAS has completed the "robots moving robots" scenario, and proved the concept of using VT-UAS and UGV in concert to gather intelligence and investigate possible Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) while minimizing exposure to Soldiers. Previous demonstrations with the aircraft featured the ability to perform logistics missions autonomously.
BURRO+, developed previously under a U.S. Marine Corps program, this week demonstrated lifting capability in an autonomous environment. Take-off, landing and transit to preset waypoints to accomplish pre-programmed missions, including auto-load delivery, were demonstrated.
Kaman Aerospace and the U.S. Army are developing BURRO+ to perform a variety of fully integrated logistics support missions. Based on the proven K-MAX helicopter, the aircraft's unique ability to lift 6,000 pounds and resupply autonomously to over 20,000 feet will provide battlefield commanders with a new range of options without unnecessarily putting pilots or troops in harm's way.
"The demonstration flights showed decisively how BURRO+ will be able to autonomously move supplies and systems, including unmanned sensors, vehicles and weapons, across the non-contiguous battlefield," said Bob Johnson, U.S. Army FUSE Program Manager.
BURRO+ is capable of carrying a range of equipment to further expand the ground commander's battle-space, according to Mel French, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Kaman's Helicopters Division. "We see many joint applications for Army, Navy and Marine missions. BURRO+ participation in the FUSE Experiment has proven the near-term capabilities of the system. BURRO+ is a utility lift helicopter that has the ability to lift a useful amount of equipment and supplies, delivering them to multiple sites in one mission. We think this is an excellent tool for reducing casualties currently being experienced in ground and air logistics operations."
For nearly 60 years, the name Kaman has been synonymous with creativity, innovation and leadership. Kaman was an early pioneer in full-scale, unmanned helicopter solutions for the US Military, and the company today continues to provide the creative innovation and leadership for which it is famous.
Kaman Aerospace Corp. is part of the Aerospace segment of Kaman Corp. of Bloomfield, Conn. The Aerospace segment markets and supports the SH-2G and K-MAX helicopters, is a subcontractor for aircraft structures and components, designs and manufactures safe, arm and fuzing devices for bomb and missile systems, and is a leading manufacturer of specialty bearings for commercial and military aircraft.
Kaman Corp. conducts business in the aerospace, industrial distribution and music markets.
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