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Kaman K-MAX | Flying crane

Kaman K-MAX
Kaman K-MAX

Militarymedia.net | The Kaman K-MAX is a syncrocopter with intermeshing rotors, manufactured by Kaman Aerospace Company, at the company's facilities in the US. Its corporate designation is K-1200. The first flight of the K-MAX took place in 1992. It is a single-engine, single-seat helicopter, optimized for external load operation. Kaman K-MAX can carry a hanging load of more than 2,700 kg. It is in service with various civil operators worldwide and is used for construction, forestry, logging, agricultural work, fire fighting and transportation. These helicopters were designed primarily for civilian applications, however there are many examples of when they were used by the military. In 1995 the US Navy used the K-MAX in a vertical charging demonstration program. This synchronizer has been used by the United States Navy in Guam and the Arabian Gulf. Also the Royal Malaysian Air Force has deployed the K-MAX for firefighting missions. Five K-MAX helicopters are being operated by the Colombian military, in support of a US government-sponsored counter-drug operation.

The K-MAX helicopter has an unusual design with intermeshing rotors. It is worth mentioning, that the world's first mass-produced helicopter, the Flettner FL282 Hummingbird is of the same breed. Hence it is a traditional configuration, but now only Kaman can produce this type and the K-MAX is the newest model in the long line of Kaman synchrocopters. Another helicopter of the same design, the Kaman H-43 Huskie, was used by the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps in the 1950s to 1970s. Currently the Huskie is used by the Kaman company to train pilots of the K-MAX, although it is no longer produced.

The Kaman K-MAX helicopter is of lightweight alloy construction and a simple and robust design. The blade and lid are made of high strength carbon and glass fiber reinforced plastic material. The engine drives two pairs of intermeshing and counter-rotating rotor blades. The two rotors are connected by gears in the transmission, so the rotors never collide with each other. Also no tail rotor. The helicopter is equipped with a fixed tricycle type landing gear. The shape of the helicopter is designed so that the pilot can have an excellent view below. It can operate in day or night conditions.

The K-MAX synchrocopter has two main advantages over conventional helicopters. Syncrocopters are more efficient than helicopters with other rotor-lift technologies. In addition, it has a natural tendency to drift, which increases stability, especially for precision work in placing suspended loads. Also the syncrocoper is more responsive to pilot control inputs.

In March 2007 Kaman and Lockheed Martin announced a partnership to develop manned and unmanned versions of the K-MAX for military applications. Lockheed Martin will be prime contractor. The K-MAX has demonstrated more than 12 hours of unmanned flight during trials with the USMC at the Burro Technology Demonstration. In 2008 an unmanned remote control prototype was revealed. It is intended for potential military supply use. It can be used in combat situations to deliver supplies to the battlefield as well as operate in contaminated areas.

Kaman K-MAX
Kaman K-MAX


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