BOISE, IDAHO – On Wednesday, Oct. 14, officials from the Department of the Interior’s Office of Aviation Services and the U.S. Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management will attend a demonstration conducted by the Lockheed-Martin and KAMAN Corporations of the optionally piloted (controlled remotely or by onboard pilots) K-MAX helicopter, using an unmanned (remotely piloted) configuration.
The purpose of the demonstration is to assess the feasibility of using these types of aircraft for a variety of missions, including, cargo delivery and wildfire suppression at night and during low visibility conditions in the unmanned configuration.
The Interior Department and U.S. Forest Service are constantly examining new technologies to improve the safety and effectiveness of wildland firefighters on the ground. Aircraft have provided important support to firefighters for more than 80 years, but the challenges of safely operating during periods of reduced visibility and at night can preclude manned aircraft from supporting wildfire operations.
Who:
Mark L. Bathrick, Director, Office of Aviation Services, U.S. Department of the Interior
Arthur Hinaman, Assistant Director, Aviation, U.S. Forest Service
Brad Koeckeritz, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Manager, U.S. Department of the Interior
Dan Spoor, Vice President and General Manager, Aviation and Unmanned Systems, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Jon McMillen, K-MAX Business Development Lead, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Bob Manaskie, Vice President and General Manager, AV/MRO, KAMAN Aerosystems
What:
K-MAX demonstration using an unmanned configuration to perform a variety of missions under a wildfire suppression scenario
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015
9:25 a.m. MDT – Media check-in (please note there will be no late admittance or early departures due to safety concerns)
9:40 a.m. MDT – Helibase is closed; briefing begins
10:00 a.m. MDT – Flight demonstration followed by a brief media availability
Where:
Lucky Peak Helibase
14364 Idaho 21
Boise, ID 83716
Click here for directions from downtown Boise to the Lucky Peak Helibase.
Media:
Credentialed members of the media must RSVP by emailing christine_wiley@ios.doi.gov by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Monday, October 12.
For media unable to attend but interesting in covering the event, officials from Interior, U.S. Forest Service, and Lockheed Martin will be available for a Q&A session via conference call at 11:30 a.m. MDT. To participate, please dial (877) 668-4490 and input access code 203 045 91.
Source: Department of Interior
