Kaman K-1200 K-Max
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeAerial crane and utility helicopter
- PowerplantsOne 1118kW (1500shp) Honeywell T53-17A-1 turboshaft flat rated to 1007kW (1350shp) for takeoff driving two intermeshing two blade main rotors.
- PerformanceMax normal operating speed 185km/h (100kt) or 130km/h (75kt) with an external load. Initial rate of climb 2500ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 29,120ft. Range with max fuel 555km (300nm).
- WeightsOperating empty 2334kg (5145lb), max takeoff without jettisonable load 2948kg (6500lb), with jettisonable external load 5443kg (12,000lb).
- DimentionsRotor diameter (each) 14.73m (48ft 4in), length overall rotors turning 15.85m (52ft 0in), height to centre of hubs 4.14m (13ft 7in). Total rotor disc area 340.9m2 (3669.0sq ft).
- CapacityAccommodates pilot only but certificated with fuselage side mounted external seats (one either side). Designed to lift external loads such as Bambi firefighting buckets. The K-Max's maximum hook lifting capability is 2720kg (6000lb).
- ProductionThe first K-Max was delivered in January 1994. By January 2001 36 had been ordered.
Kaman's first common helicopter since the Ka-225 was certificated in 1949, the K-Max is a specific helicopter outlined particularly for elevated crane work.
The unexpected looking K-1200 K-Max is effectively distinguished by its trademark intermeshing fundamental rotors. The two primary rotors have the double preferences of permitting a low rotor circle region stacking and that all the motor's energy produces lift, and none is "squandered" driving an against torque tail rotor. The two primary rotors are likewise fitted with trailing edge servo folds that control the edges' approach, nullifying the requirement for water driven force.
Force is supplied by a Honeywell (some time ago Alliedsignal and Lycoming) T53-17a-1 turboshaft (proportional to the military T53-L-703), the T53 additionally controls the Bell UH-1 Iroquois arrangement (and the equal business Bell 204 and 205, portrayed independently). The greatly high power to weight degree of the K-Max implies it can lift heaps of up to 2720kg (6000lb).
The model K-Max first flew on December 23 1991, steered by organization test pilot Al Ashley. Accreditation was postponed to some degree by an early choice to enhance the rotor framework to expand execution edges, progressions including extending the fundamental rotors' widths and expanding the rating of the transmission. US FAA certificate was honored in September 1994.
Perceiving that the K-Max's high power to weight degree may place unpracticed administrators in troublesome circumstances, Kaman took an exceptionally wary methodology to advertising the flying machine and rented out the initial six generation air ship while flight experience was picked up.
As an elevated crane the K-Max is suited to firefighting operations convey different size Bambi containers, logging, development, looking over and aeronautical spreading. It has additionally been exhibited to the US Navy in the vertrep (vertical renewal) part (because of USN prerequisites Kaman certificated the K-Max for IFR operations, recompensed in 1999).
Pictures of Kaman K-1200 K-Max
