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 subcontractor 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
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
