Kaman Aircraft was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman . During the first ten years the company operates exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation firsts.
Since 1956 Kaman begins to diversify as an aerospace subcontrator of Mc Donnell, Grumman and others
December 1945 :
With $2,000 and his invention of the servo-flap controlled rotor ,
26-year-old Charles Kaman founds the company. January 15, 1947 : K-125 : Kaman's first helicopter
July, 1949 : K-225
An improved version, the U.S. Navy buys two and Coast Guard one for $25,000 each. Later, they will receive the H-22 designation.
December 1951 :
A modified K-225 equipped with a Boeing 502 engine becomes the world's first gas turbine powered helicopter , ushering in the turbine age for helicopters. This aircraft is now at the Smithsonian
1953 : Kaman produced the first electrically powered drone
April 1953 : HOK (OH-43)
1954 : K-16 A V/STOL designed around a rotoprop
March 1954 :
A modified Kaman HTK-1 becomes the world's first twin-turbine powered helicopter
September, 1956 : HH-43 Huskie A variant of the OH-43, equipped with a Lycoming T-53 turbine engine
HH-43B Rotor diameter: 14.33 m each Length: 7.62 m Height: 4.74 m Weight: 2000 kg - Max: 4150 Engine: 1 Avco Lycoming T53-L-1B of 825 hp Speed: Max: 190 km/h Range: 450 km Service Ceiling: 7600 m
July 1957 : QH-43
Another modified HTK-1 becomes the world's first remotely piloted vehicle 1958 : K-17
A cold-tipped jet powered helicopter
Rotor diameter: 11.3 m Weight: 430 kg - Max: 900 Engine: 1 Turbomeca Turmo of 600 hp Speed: Max: 120 km/h Endurance: 2 hours Service Ceiling: 1500 m
July 2, 1959 : HU2K-1 Later known as UH-2A SeaSprite
March 1960 :
Kaman develops and flies the first all composite main rotor blade.
October 1961 :
The H-43 Huskie sets an altitude record of 10.000 m and numerous rate of climb records. During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Huskie flew more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined - with the best safety record of any U.S. military aircraft.
1962 : UH-2A / B production begins
January 1964 : First flight of Kaman's experimental Convertiplane equipped with a J-85 engine and wings from a Beechcraft Queen Air. The aircraft achieves speeds of over 320 km/h
1965 : Tomahawk
A Sea Sprite derivate with stub wings and a pair of twin guns side-by-side under the nose. Was Kaman 's propossal for the US Army 's interim gunship helicopter between the AAFSS ( AH-56 ) and AAH ( AH-64 ) competitions. Lost against the Bell 209 AH-1 HueyCobra
1967 : The Sea Sprites are modified into twin turbine helicopters
. 1969 : US Navy begins LAMPS ( Light Airborne Multipurpose System) development to obtain a on board helicopter for escort ships
1971 : SAVER
The Stowable Aircrew Vehicle Escape Rotoseat is the first jet powered autogyro with telescoping rotor blades
May 1973 : SH-2F Sea Sprite
The LAMPS I enters US Navy service
Rotor diameter: 13.41 m Length: 16.03 m Height: 4.72 m Weight: 3200 kg - Max: 6100 Engine: 2 x GE T58-GE-8F of 1350 hp each Speed: Max: 240 km/h Range: 660 km
July 1976 :
Kaman designs and begins manufacturing the K-747 blade, the world's first production all-composite rotor blade for the Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Total production exceeds 4,000 blades.
January 1991 :
The Magic Lantern, a new laser-based mine countermeasures system, is deployed in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. It is highly successful in locating mines.
February 1993 : SH-2G
The new version of the Sea Sprite, with new avionics, mission electronics and GE T-700 engines, enters US Navy service
August 1994 : K-1200 K-MAX "aerial truck" The world's first helicopter specifically designed, tested and certified for repetitive external lift operations and vertical reference flight, an important feature for external load work. The aircraft's narrow profile gives the pilot an unprecedented view of the load looking out either side of the aircraft.
The K-MAX is based on Kaman's unique intermeshing rotor technology with servo-flap control. The aircraft has counter-rotating main rotors and no tail rotor, which allows all engine power to go directly to the main rotors for the highest lifting efficiency of any rotor configuration. The K-MAX receives FAA certification in record time.
Flight Demonstrations of K-Max November 1998 :
Egyptian Air Force accepts delivery of its 10th SH-2G Super Seasprite for use in anti-submarine warfare missions, completing the order and becoming the first international customer to operate the aircraft.
August 1999 : New Zealand approves purchase of SH-2G(NZ)
January 2000 : Australian SH-2G(A) begin initial flight testing
January 2001 : US Gov purchase 5 K-MAX for Peru
