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Marines in Afghanistan Execute the World's First Cargo Resupply with an Unmanned Helicopter
Popular Science ^ | 12.20.2011 | Clay Dillow

Posted on 12/21/2011 2:38:57 PM PST by Utilizer

In Afghanistan, supply convoys have been a favorite target of insurgent fighters, not only because they make warfighting possible for troops at forward operating bases but also because they are so very vulnerable to ambushes and IEDs. But on Saturday, NATO logisticians hit a major milestone in Afghanistan, reaching out and touching one of the holy grails of robotic warfare when an unmanned K-MAX helicopter successfully delivered a sling-load of beans, bullets, and band-aids to an unspecified base for the first time.

(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; helicopter; kmax; unmanned
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Love to pilot one of these. Wonder if they could add a bit of weaponry for a bit of self-defence?
1 posted on 12/21/2011 2:39:01 PM PST by Utilizer
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To: Utilizer

How soon until Obama lets one land in Iran?


2 posted on 12/21/2011 2:43:13 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: Utilizer

I want one.


3 posted on 12/21/2011 2:43:33 PM PST by Nachum (The complete Obama list at www.nachumlist.com)
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To: Utilizer

When are we going to crash one over Iran or Pakistan?


4 posted on 12/21/2011 2:44:07 PM PST by alex2011
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To: Utilizer

could prove the safest way to feed Michael Moore,too.


5 posted on 12/21/2011 2:47:08 PM PST by WOBBLY BOB (Congress: Looting the future to bribe the present.)
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To: DTogo

Probably work best if they used prop artists to make it look like a pig. That way, even if they reported to the news media that a flying pig had landed, no one would be willing to touch it. *smirk*


6 posted on 12/21/2011 2:47:42 PM PST by Utilizer (What does not kill you... -can sometimes damage you QUITE severely.)
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To: Utilizer
“a sling-load of beans, bullets, and band-aids ....”

Someone with a flair for PR made up that manifest. A great use of alliteration and it covers most of the categories of resupply (food, ammo, medical). Only fuel is missing — perhaps they could have added a blitz can of fuel.

7 posted on 12/21/2011 2:49:34 PM PST by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA

Not necessarily. ‘Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids’ is general MilSpeak for a generic or unspecified load.


8 posted on 12/21/2011 2:54:12 PM PST by Utilizer (What does not kill you... -can sometimes damage you QUITE severely.)
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA
beans, bullets, and band-aids

From the 'A' in SMEAC 'admin and logistics'. A Corps colloquialism.

9 posted on 12/21/2011 2:54:14 PM PST by xone
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To: Utilizer

10 posted on 12/21/2011 2:55:13 PM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Mater tua caligas gerit)
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To: Nachum
Last Christmas wifey bought me a 'toy' - remote controlled helichopter.

I charged it up, took it out to the driveway and destroyed it within 7 or 8 minutes....fortunately, it was a cheapie, and the store actually gave her a refund.

11 posted on 12/21/2011 2:55:53 PM PST by ErnBatavia (Obama Voters: Jose Baez wants YOU for his next jury pool.......)
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To: Utilizer; xone

Thank you both for setting me straight about that. Still, whoever first came up with that did a good job.


12 posted on 12/21/2011 2:59:17 PM PST by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: ErnBatavia

Intended for the hobby-class helis, one can purchase an auto-stabilization system on the commercial market. These can right an out-of-control copter within a second. In fact, there are quite a few products out there, from $69 to hundreds of dollars. These vary in sophistication and function from simple leveling using gyros to GPS- and inertial-guided return to home and automatic landing. I am making up my mind on which system to purchase; am currently looking at a simple system that uses differential between earth and sky temperatures to establish level.


13 posted on 12/21/2011 3:04:25 PM PST by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture (Could be worst in 40 years))
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To: ErnBatavia

Took me bout 20 seconds to destroy mine . Shot right up from the driveway and smashed into the garage rain gutter.


14 posted on 12/21/2011 3:12:53 PM PST by Renegade
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To: Utilizer

Check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7po3JlgWhvQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSzeM50B8hI&feature=youtube_gdata_player


15 posted on 12/21/2011 3:16:19 PM PST by isthisnickcool (Sharia? No thanks!)
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To: magslinger

Navair ping


16 posted on 12/21/2011 3:28:36 PM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: isthisnickcool
Bewdy. Impressive skill.

On a related topic, did you know they now make a Chinook-style toy RC helo?

17 posted on 12/21/2011 3:31:42 PM PST by Utilizer (What does not kill you... -can sometimes damage you QUITE severely.)
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To: isthisnickcool

Feel sorry for the groundpounders a bit though. If they are not wearing hearing protectors their ears are going to be ringing for awhile. Jet engines are bloody LOUD.


18 posted on 12/21/2011 3:33:59 PM PST by Utilizer (What does not kill you... -can sometimes damage you QUITE severely.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks Utilizer.


19 posted on 12/21/2011 3:36:13 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! May 2013 be even Happier!)
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To: SunkenCiv

Anytime, mate. Not sure what you are sending the thanks for, but you are welcome nonetheless. Cheers!


20 posted on 12/21/2011 4:21:34 PM PST by Utilizer (What does not kill you... -can sometimes damage you QUITE severely.)
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