New reports indicate that attempts to drop water on damaged Japanese reactors have been unsuccessful. The USA has a robot helicopter water-bomber which might be safe and effective.In January 2011 U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is reported to have successfully tested with an unmanned helicopter air-dropping a 4,400lb load. The helicopter used was a modified version of the Kaman KMax, which is also used for fire-fighting around the world (including in Australia). The aircraft can carry a water-bucket as its load and release the water under remote control.
It appears likely that the Kaman KMax aircraft could be used to drop water on a nuclear reactor. This could be done with more precision than a manned aircraft as there would be no risk to the operator and the aircraft could hover precisely over the target. The aircraft could operate for hours at a time, then needing to land for a few minutes to refuel.
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