20150209BDN
C O M M E R C I A L & D E F E N S E | F I X E D W I N G & R O T O R C R A F T
2/23/15 8:02 AM
THIS DATA DOES NOT CONTAIN ITAR OR EAR TECHNICAL DATA
ApplicationsThe K-MAX is well suited to a variety of applications.Emergency response, including:
Disaster relief, i.e. delivering suppliesFirefighting, with precise water dropsMobilization and logisticsSearch and rescue
Construction, such as oil rig and pipelinePower line construction and repairTimber harvesting
K-MAX for Emergency ResponseIn case of emergency, K-MAX is the helicopter to call. The K-MAX was designed to perform under the most extreme conditions and circumstances, and it does just that.
It will maintain its capabilities in hot temperatures and at high altitudes, delivering a measurable performance advantage for operators conducting rescues or dropping water on fires in mountainous areas.
Its heavy-lift capabilities make the K-MAX ideal for diverse disaster relief missions. Its ability to work long hours and perform repeated lift operations would make the K-MAX invaluable in delivering relief supplies to an area devastated by floods, for example. K-MAX might also be used to rapidly remove debris in an earthquake-ravaged region...or to rescue those trapped on top of a high rise building.
In a worst-case scenario, call on the hardest-working helicopter in the fleet — the high performance/low maintenance K-MAX.
Conceived and designed to perform repetitive external lifting – the K-MAX performs that mission better than any other helicopter in the world. The single-engine, single-seat K-MAX is a rugged workhorse, and no helicopter works harder or more efficiently.
Performance? The K-MAX can lift more than it weighs —
6,000 pounds. Efficiency? The K-MAX burns 82 gallons of fuel
per hour during lift operations, the most efficient lift-to-fuel
ratio of any helicopter in its class.
DesignTo understand what makes the K-MAX better, just look to the
original design.
A simple, straightforward design has resulted in fewer
aircraft systems, and has shortened the load path between the
engine and the rotor system, enhancing the airframe’s ability to
handle the stress loads generated between the rotor system and
the cargo hook assembly during repeated lifting. This simplic-
ity of design also enhances the safety and reliability of the
K-MAX. Specific aspects of the design that merit a closer look
are the K-MAX’s unique cargo hook/trolley system and the
concept of vertical reference flight.
Cargo Hook/TrolleyKaman designed and built the K-MAX around its cargo hook,
which operates on a unique and functional trolley system. The
trolley system allows the hook to move back and forth across
the belly of the aircraft, enhancing aircraft and load stability.
Vertical Reference DesignThe K-MAX was also designed around the concept of vertical
The K-MAX effectively marries new
A look inside a K-MAX shows the source of its ruggedness. Besides
using high-strength aerospace-grade aluminum, we use the metal
in sheets up to 0.125 inches thick.
Built to Liftuilt to Lift
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The curved track in which
the cargo hook rides is
just part of the massive
structure that serves as
the centerpiece of the
K-MAX design. This heavily
reinforced structure delivers
reliable lifting day after day,
year after year.
The pilot sits literally above
the side windows, with all
necessary switches in the
cyclic and collective grips.
This view, in particular, shows the features that make K-MAX
so well suited to lifting and placing loads — a narrow, tapered
fuselage with bubble windows for unequalled pilot visibility
and the massive structure and unique “trolley” for slinging
6,000-pound loads.
Vertical Reference DesignThe K-MAX was also designed around the concept of vertical
reference flight, and the result is distinct advantages for pilots.
For example, the aircraft’s narrow profile and landing gear
placement provide pilots with an unobstructed view of the load
from either side of the aircraft for enhanced control and more
precise load placement.
An external instrument panel is strategically located outside
of the cockpit, enabling pilots to actively monitor performance
during load operations.
In addition, the K-MAX operates with a minimum number
of systems that require pilot action or monitoring. The pilot
can perform all normal and emergency procedures without
removing hands or feet from the controls.
InnovationThe K-MAX effectively marries new-generation technology
with an extraordinarily rugged airframe. Its aluminum fuse-
lage ranges in thickness from 0.065 inches to 0.125 inches for
enhanced durability and safety, especially in critical areas such
as the cockpit, fuel tank and lower fuselage.
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Meet the K-MAX. The world’s most efficient medium-lift helicopter.
SPECIFICATIONSWeights and MeasurementsMax gross weight (with external load) 12,000 lb 5443 kgMax gross weight (without external load) 6,500 lb 2948 kgEmpty weight 5,145 lb 2334 kgUseful load 6,855 lb 3109 kgCargo hook capacity 6,000 lb 2722 kg
Lift Performance — ISA +15° CSea Level 6,000 lb 2722 kg5,000 feet 5,663 lb 2574 kg10,000 feet 5,163 lb 2347 kg15,000 feet 4,313 lb 1960 kg
Hover Performance — 4,000 feet, 35° C (95° F)Hover IGE 12,000 lb 5443 kgHover OGE 11,500 lb 5216 kg
PowerplantModel Honeywell T53-17 gas turbineThermodynamic rating 1,800 shaft horsepower
Maximum airspeedWithout external load 100 kt 185.2 kphWith external load 80 kt 148.2 kph
Fuel SystemTotal fuel capacity 228.5 U.S. gal 865 litersJet A fuel weight 1553.8 lb 704.8 kg
Total usable fuel 219.5 gal 831 litersJet A fuel weight 1,492.6 lb 677.0 kg
Avg fuel consumption 82 gal/hr 310.4 l/hrJet A fuel 557.6 lb/hr 252.9 kg/hr
20-minute reserve + unusable fuel 36 gal 136.3 litersFuel weight @ 6.8 lb/gal 244.8 lb 110.0 kg
Max endurance w/o reserve 2 hr 41 minRange, without external load 267 nm 494.5 kmRange, with external load 214 nm 396.3 km
Approved fuels Jet A/A-1, JP-5Jet B/JP-4
JP-8
The key to its efficiency is a distinctive,
oversized, intermeshing rotor system
with servo-flap control. The K-MAX
uses counter-rotating main rotors but
no tail rotor, so all engine power goes
directly to the large main rotors for
maximum lifting capacity. What’s more,
the K-MAX maintains its power and
performance at high altitudes and at
high temperatures, an important opera-
tional benefit that is directly attributable
to the aircraft’s superior design.
The counter-rotating, servo-flap controlled, intermeshing main rotors of the
K-MAX put all available power into lift, wasting none on anti-torque.
This is K-MAXhis is K-MAX
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System AircraftAC Electrical System
Multi-Engine Management
Combining Gearbox
Intermediate Gearbox
Tail Rotor Gearbox
Flight Control Hydraulics
Tail Rotor
Multi-Tank Fuel Management
K-MAX B-212
XXXXXXXX
B-214B1
X
XXXXX
SA330
XXXXXXXX
Mi-17
XXXXXXXX
KA-32
XXX
X
X
PILOT WORKLOAD COMPARISONWe put a lot less into the
K-MAX — complicating
systems and tasks — so you
get a lot more out of it —
more safety, more reliability,
and fewer distractions
during flight.
Each blade on the K-MAX is controlled by a servo-flap. Located about
two-thirds out on the trailing edge, they aerodynamically control
blade twist, and the pilot has a direct connection to them
without relying on hydraulic or electrical systems.
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K-MAX revealed-MAX revealed
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A unique cutaway drawing of the K-MAX reveals the simplicity of design that results
in many important benefits for operators. The K-MAX uses counter-rotating main
rotors but no tail rotor, so all engine power is used to maximize lifting capacity.
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Performance at a GlanceReliably lift 6,000 pounds on the hook at 46 °C @ sea level. Repeatedly lift 5,000 pounds at 8,000-foot density altitude.
The K-MAX consistently delivers superior, reliable performance. Mission after mission. Day after day. Year after year.
Altitudesea level
5,000 ft/1,524 m
10,000 ft/3,048 m
12,500 ft/3,810 m
15,000 ft/4,572 m
Payload6,000 lb/2,722 kg
5,663 lb/2,569 kg
5,163 lb/2,342 kg
5,013 lb/2,274 kg
4,313 lb/1,956 kg
PAYLOAD AT ALTITUDE
Payload6,160 lb/2,800 kg
5,940 lb/2,700 kg
5,720 lb/2,600 kg
5,500 lb/2,500 kg
5,280 lb/2,400 kg
5,060 lb/2,300 kg
4,840 lb/2,200 kg
4,620 lb/2,100 kg
Range (nm) 0 50 100 150
Range, plus 20-minute fuel reserve
Standard day/sea level — HOGE 35 °C/4,000 ft — HIGE 35 °C/4,000 ft — HOGE
PAYLOAD VS. RANGE — TYPICAL ENGINE
Powered by a T53-17 turbine engine
with an excellent operating history of
53 million hours in service, the K-MAX
can lift more than its own weight
with power to spare. What’s more, it
maintains its performance, with less
degradation than other helicopters,
when flying at high altitudes or hot
temperatures.
Performance to the Maxerformance to the Max
Chalk up much of the great
performance to those twin, counter-
rotating, intermeshing rotors.
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External instrument panel
Resting comfortably in the
pilot’s view — on the outside
of the aircraft — critical
gauges and annunciators
are always visible during
vertical reference flying.
Pressure Altitude15,000 ft
14,000
13,000
12,000
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Payload* (lb) 0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
HOGE* Standard day conditions
PAYLOAD
Eng. Torque Press.15 psi
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Fwd Airspeed (kias) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
6,500–12,000 lb — with loadVNE is decreased 3 kt/1,000 ft above 5,000 ft DA 6,500 lb — no load
K-MAX has the power and reliability to lift, carry and
place even large loads at high altitudes with high
temperatures. Whether it’s logging or construction
or firefighting, K-MAX works where you need it.
DENSITY ALTITUDE VS. AIRSPEED
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Profitability is the bottom line in any helicopter operation, and K-MAX has what it takes to be both effective and affordable. Its simplicity of design makes it easier and more cost effective to fly and maintain than some other helicopters.
For example, the K-MAX utilizes mechanical servo-flaps for
rotor pitch control, eliminating the need for high-maintenance
hydraulic boost systems. The lack of a tail rotor eliminates
two gearboxes, drive shafting and associated maintenance. In
addition to its reduced maintenance requirements, the K-MAX
requires less frequent maintenance and needs no special
facilities for maintenance work.
One pilot and one mechanic, and you’re ready to fly with
less than one maintenance man-hour required per flight hour.
The K-MAX also saves operators money on fuel, using just
82 gallons of fuel per hour during lift operations and delivering
the most efficient lift-to-fuel ratio of any helicopter in its class.
When it comes to productivity, no helicopter can outwork
the K-MAX. It will fly every day with unmatched reliability.
Numerous operators have flown more than 1,500 hours a year,
moving from fire fighting to construction — or any other
lifting mission required.
Tpp
The instrument panel
is logically laid out for
optimum efficiency, and
features a glare shield for
easy readability of all
gauges and indicators.
Aircraft TypeK-MAX
BV234
AS332
BV-107 II
S-61A
KA 32
S-64F
B214
AS 330
Mi-8MTV
Mi-17
S-64E
Mi-8
Fuel burn(gal/hr)
82400
162
170
160
220
525
166
170
200
200
500
200
Payload*(lb)
6,00028,000
9,000
10,000
9,000
11,000
25,000
8,000
7,700
8,800
8,800
20,000
7,500
Lifted(lb/gal)
7370
56
59
56
50
48
48
45
44
44
40
37
Costost--Effective OpsEffective Ops M
K-MAX operates in the field with a minimum of support equipment and personnel.
FUEL BURN COMPARISON
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The superior design of the K-MAX has delivered its promise of performance and cost-effective operation, plus a host of other benefits that further expand the appeal of this vertical lift superstar.
SafetyK-MAX features a full complement of safety systems that come as standard equipment,
and the aircraft itself has the best autorotational characteristics of any helicopter.
Energy-attenuating seat assembly
Energy-attenuating cyclic assembly
Energy-attenuating shock strut landing gear
Five-point pilot restraint system
Crash-resistant fuel system
Lowest rotor downwash of any medium- to heavy-lift helicopter
Exceptionally strong aluminum fuselage for enhanced durability and protection
A thick, aluminum fuselage
strengthens the K-MAX and
enhances its safety.
Noise Level (dB)
95
90
85
80
RepresentativeAircraft
Bell212, Bell412, SA330J
BK117A1, S76A, S76C
BK117C, AS365N2, AS332
A109C, Bell222
BO105C
AS355F
AS350B1
EC135, Bell206L
MD Explorer
K-MAX
ComparableEnvironment
Garbage truck
Chain saw
Subway
Motorcycle
Truck traffic
Lawn mower
City traffic
Alarm clock at 2 feet
Quiet Lots of helicopters claim to fly neighborly, but the K-MAX is
the quietest of them all, with noise levels that are comparable
to city traffic or an alarm clock at two feet. Reduced noise
levels contribute to enhanced safety and communications.
More Benefitsore Benefits
NOISE LEVEL COMPARISON
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P.O. Box 2, Bloomfield, CT 06002 · 1-860-242-4461www.kaman.com/aerosystems
Kaman Aerosystems is a division of Kaman Aerospace Group. Kaman Aerospace Group is a subsidiary of Kaman Corp. of Bloomfield, Conn. In addition to the K-MAX,
Kaman markets and supports the SH-2G Seasprite, supplies the aviation industry with services from design to delivering major integrated subsections; providing design
and structural system engineering, composites/metal fabrication and assembly, tooling design and manufacturing turnkey solutions, testing and certification, aircraft
assembly and subsystem integration capability. The company is also a leading manufacturer of widely used proprietary airframe bearings and components and
manufactures missile and bomb systems Fuze and Safe & Arm solutions, ruggedized military memory systems and non-contact precision memory systems.
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