Lockheed Martin wins U.S. Army contract for autonomous SMSS and K-MAX experiment

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) won a contract from the U.S. Army Robotics Technology Consortium to conduct an autonomous reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition experiment using its Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) unmanned ground vehicle and its K-MAX unmanned air vehicle. Contract terms are not being disclosed.

In collaboration with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Lockheed Martin will conduct a notional scenario later this year, in which a K-MAX autonomous rotorcraft will transport a Gyrocam-equipped SMSS via sling load into a simulated “area of interest” deemed too risky for human presence. The K-MAX will position itself over the intended release point and autonomously set down, releasing the SMSS upon command from a remote operator.