Kaman K-MAX

Type (Muster)
Medium lift helicopter (Einmotoriger Lasthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Kaman Aerospace
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
USA

Phone: 001-806/243-6319
Fax: 001-860/243-7514

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 2 are possible on two auxiliary seats fastened to the fuselage side

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x AlliedSignal (Lycoming) T5317A-1 turboshaft
Power (Leistung): 1 x 1341 kW (1800 shp) but flat rated to 1118 kW (1500 shp) for take-off

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length overall, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 15,85 m
Rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 14,73 m
Width over main wheels (Breite über die Haupträder): 3,56 m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): ca 2180 kg
Hook load (max. Zuladung am Lasthaken): 2722 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 863 litres
Max. weight without external load (max. Masse ohne Außenlast): 2722 kg
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 5216 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit)
- without external load (ohne Außenlast): 100 kts (185 km/h)
- with external load (mit Außenlast) 80 kts (148 km/h)
Max. rate of climb (max. Steigrate): 12,7 m/s
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe) out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 7620 m estimated (at standard day, 2722 kg)

Costs (Kosten)
The K-MAX sells at around 3,5 million US-Dollars in 1997.
Direct operating costs claimed to be under 475 US-Dollars/hour in mid-1997.

Customers (Kunden)
Kaman produced a total of around 20 K-MAX by the beginning of 1997. Customers include Central Copters, Mountain West, Kimberly-Clark and Midwest Helicopters in North America, Helog of Switzerland and Japan Royal Helicopters.

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
None. The K-MAX occupies a unique niche as a "flying truck" external lift helicopter.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
Kaman flew the first K-MAX (K-1200) on 23. December 1991, but public unveiling took place three months later, in March 1992. A second prototype made its maiden flight on 18. September 1993, followed by the first production aircraft on 12. January 1994. Another airframe was built for static and drop tests.
FAA certification to FAR Part 27 was achieved on 30. August 1994 after 32 months of flight tests, in which 800 hrs were performed.
In August-October 1995 and again in the spring of 1996, the US Navy contracted Kaman to demonstrate the K-MAX in the role of vertical lift resupply vehicle for ships at sea.

Last updated January 28, 1998

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