The Marines have decided to deploy an unmanned helicopter to Afghanistan to conduct cargo delivery operations:

Adm. Bill Shannon, program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, approved Lockheed Martin/Kaman’s K-MAX unmanned helicopter for a six-month deployment to augment Marine Corps ground and air logistics operations.

The unmanned helicopter has reportedly carried multiple loads to separate destinations in austere conditions.  The deployment itself will be supported by both Marines and Lockheed contractors.

If successful, the chopper will take “one more truck off the road” and prevent the need for an aircrew to be exposed to harm, either from maintenance/the environment or hostile action.