Part I

Kaman Helicopters Part II





July 2, 1959 : HU2K-1 Later known as UH-2A Sea Sprite

Production Lists


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 rates of climb records.
YUH-2A Prototype



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
Convertiplane



1965 : Tomahawk. A Seasprite derivate with stub wings and a pair of twin guns side-by-side under the nose. Was Kaman 's proposal for the US Army 's interim gunship helicopter between the AAFSS ( AH-56 ) and AAH ( AH-64 ) competitions. Lost against the Bell AH-1 Cobra

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
UH-2


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 enter 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
SH-2F Seasprite


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. Total production exceeds 4,000 blades.

April 1985 : Engine testbed for the General Electric T700 engines, which will replace the T58 flew for the first time.

Decemeber 28, 1989 : SH-2G prototype with full avionics first flight

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 25, 1993 : SH-2G The new version of the Sea Sprite, with new avionics, mission electronics and GE T-700 engines.

First new production SH-2G was accepted into service with the US Navy Reserve Squadron HSL-84 at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA.
SH-2G


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 performed in 1999.

K-Max Production list

K-MAX


November 1998 : Egyptian Air Force accepts delivery of its 10th SH-2G Super Sea Sprite for use in anti-submarine warfare missions, completing the order and becoming the first international customer to operate the aircraft.


1999 : K-MAX - The K-1200 is used by the Broad-area Unmanned Responsive Resupply Operations (BURRO) in conjunction with the Slice Multi Task Boat for providing over the horizon sea-based logistics. is also used for resupplying ships at sea.

K-MAX


August 1999 : New Zealand approves purchase of SH-2G(NZ)

January 2000 : Australia begin initial flight testing of SH-2G(A)

January 2001 : US Government purchase 5 K-MAX for Peru






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