Lockheed Martin Uses UAS for Firefighting and Search and Rescue Demonstration
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Last week, Lockheed Martin performed a successful demonstration, where four UAS were used for firefighting and search-and-rescue efforts.
The demonstration took place at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York.
The systems used during the demonstration were the Kaman K-MAX optionally piloted aircraft, the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA), and the Indago quadrotor and Desert Hawk 3.1 UAS. Each system fulfilled its role admirably, according to those involved with the testing.
For the firefighting part of the demonstration, the K-MAX retrieved water from a nearby pond and suppressed the fire by dumping that water onto it, after the Indago quadrotor identified hot spots. The two systems communicated effectively, as the Indago relayed the pertinent information to the operator of the K-MAX for the system to fulfil its duties.
For the search-and-rescue part of the demonstration, the SARA was used to find and pick up a missing person, after the Desert Hawk UAS identified the location of that person. Like the K-MAX and Indago, the SARA and the Desert Hawk were able to communicate adequately to achieve mission goals.
The K-MAX and SARA also communicated directly with each other during the demonstration, using the Sikorsky MATRIX technology, which was installed on both systems. According to Jon McMillen, business development lead, K-MAX, and Igor Cherepinsky, director, Autonomy Programs at Sikorsky, it did not take the systems long to launch communication with each other, as they stated during a media call on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
During the media call, McMillen and Cherepinsky both said they believe that it will take some time for this kind of technology to be successfully integrated into everyday life and civil application. The two stated that a cultural change that sparks more trust from the public is the key for this kind of technology to be fully accepted.
According to Dan Spoor, vice president, unmanned systems at Lockheed Martin, this demonstration could provide a solid basis for the eventual integration and acceptance of these systems and more.
“The advances that Lockheed Martin is pioneering in autonomous and unmanned technologies will lead to improved safety and efficiency for humanitarian aid, first response and other civil, commercial and military operations in the air, on land and undersea,” Spoor said in a company press release.
Video footage of the demonstration can be seen here.
