| The Kaman K-MAX is a syncrocopter with | | | | the world's first mass produced helicopter, the |
| intermeshing rotors, manufactured by Kaman | | | | Flettner FL282 Kolibri was of the same type. |
| Aerospace Company, at the company's facilities in | | | | Therefore this is a traditional configuration, but |
| the USA. It's company designation is the K-1200. | | | | now only Kaman can produce this type and the |
| The first flight of the K-MAX took place in 1992. | | | | K-MAX is the latest model in a long line of Kaman |
| It is a single-engine and single-seat helicopter, | | | | syncrocopters. Another helicopter of the same |
| optimized for external load operations. The Kaman | | | | design, the Kaman H-43 Huskie, was used by the |
| K-MAX can carry suspended loads of over 2 700 | | | | US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps in |
| kg. It is in service with various civil operators | | | | the 1950s through 1970s. Currently the Huskie is |
| around the world and is used for construction, | | | | being used by the Kaman company for training |
| forestry, logging, agricultural work, firefighting and | | | | pilots of the K-MAX, though it is not in production |
| transportation. This helicopter was designed mainly | | | | any more. |
| for civilian applications, however there were many | | | | The Kaman K-MAX helicopter is of light alloy |
| instances when it was employed by the military. | | | | construction and is of simple and robust design. |
| In 1995 the US Navy used the K-MAX in the | | | | The blades and flaps are of high-strength carbon |
| vertical replenishment demonstration program. | | | | and glass fibre-reinforced plastic materials. The |
| This syncrocopter has been used by the United | | | | engine drives two pairs of intermeshing and |
| States Navy in Guam and Arabian Gulf. Also The | | | | contra-rotating rotor blades. Two rotors are |
| Royal Malaysian Air Force has deployed the | | | | connected by gears in transmission, so the rotors |
| K-MAX for firefighting missions. Five K-MAX | | | | never hit each other. Also there is no tail rotor. |
| helicopters are being operated by the Columbian | | | | This helicopter is fitted with fixed tricycle-type |
| military, in support of US government-sponsored | | | | landing gear. Shape of the helicopter is designed |
| counter-drug operations. | | | | so that the pilot can have an excellent view down. |
| The K-MAX helicopter has an unusual design with | | | | It can operate in day or night conditions. |
| intermeshing rotors. It is worth mentioning, that | | | | |