cryptogon.com

A Lockheed Martin helicopter capable of flying autonomously with no human control did so as it scooped up water, dropped it on targets and delivered supplies to a distant ridge in a demonstration in front of top federal decision makers 20 miles east of Boise.

“Wildland fires are a huge problem, particularly here in the West,” said Mark Bathrick, director of the Interior Department’s Office of Aviation Services. “I’m a believer in the technology that could be put on other helicopters, that eventually could be put on fixed-wing aircraft — scoopers and air tankers.”

The Lockheed Martin K-MAX put through its paces on Wednesday completed seven tasks in about an hour and a half. A safety pilot was aboard, often holding his hands aloft to indicate to about 200 observers that he wasn’t using the controls.

Federal officials, who are also considering other aeronautic companies for the choppers, say having an optionally manned aircraft has advantages in that a pilot can fly it from fire to fire. A pilot could also fly it on fires during the day when conditions are safe.

The problem is that firefighting from the air stops at night or when smoke reduces visibility to unsafe distances.

The unmanned helicopter, though, has high-tech sensors allowing it to fly at night and in smoky conditions too dangerous for manned flights. That means at least tripling the amount of time aircraft could be attacking blazes.

“I’m highly confident (the helicopter) has the technology to be able to do that,” said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager for Aviation and Unmanned Systems. “If they bring in unmanned aircraft, they’ll be able to do 24-7 flights. So it could be impressive in terms of helping fight fires.”