Kaman Aerosystems is well qualified to design, test, certify, and develop complete air vehicles

Kaman Corporation conducts business in the aerospace and defense markets. For more than 70 years, the company has been recognized for technical breakthroughs and innovative solutions to critical challenges.

Company facts

3000 employees

Its people have always sought a better way, from helping clients operate more efficiently to pioneering safer ways to fly. It has grown on the strength of the innovation of its people

$736M, 2018 Aerospace Revenue

Last year, Kaman Corporation generated $736 million in revenue from continuing operations and continues to grow both organically and through acquisitions.

50+ Countries

Kaman conducts business around the globe and has customers in more than 50 countries.

Solutions

The K-MAX Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is centered on the versatile and efficient K-MAX air vehicle. With a lift capacity of 6,000 pounds and unmatched readiness and efficiency in its class, the K-MAX aerial truck was a natural choice for a new generation of optionally piloted vehicles. Whether the mission calls for saving lives with immediate resupply, or precisely placing a heavy load during infrastructure construction, the K-MAX UAS will be there, any place or any weather to do the heavy lifting.

It makes sense that Kaman would be the provider of heavy lift autonomy. Charlie Kaman, founder of Kaman Corporation flew the first unmanned helicopter in 1957. Since then, Kaman has been at the forefront of unmanned, heavy lift helicopter capability. In 2011, an earlier version of unmanned K-MAX supported the US Marines in Afghanistan. Over the 33-month deployment, two K-MAX unmanned systems delivered 4.5 million pounds of cargo to Marines at remote outposts in the combat zone. By taking to the skies and operating exclusively at night, K-MAX UAS operators negated the need for the equivalent of 900 ground convoy vehicles, thereby eliminating thousands of exposure hours to IEDs. The firm is proud to say that these autonomous, heavy lifters saved American lives.

Following the highly successful military service in Afghanistan, Kaman decided to leverage that experience to develop a new, commercial UAS suitable for operations in the United States and internationally. When the job is high, hot, dirty or dangerous, the K-MAX UAS will be ready to fight fires, deliver life-saving supplies, or perform the mundane operations that call for an unmanned, heavy lift helicopter. Wildfires do not rest at night, and neither will the unmanned K-MAX.

In addition to commercial UAS development, Kaman is partnered with the US Marines and NAVAIR to deliver the next generation of USMC aerial autonomy.

Aerospace Composite Structures Capabilities

Kaman Composites Structures operates aerospace manufacturing and test facilities specializing in total aerostructures solutions, from composite and metal detail parts and subassemblies to fully integrated assemblies, associated with tooling, repair, and overhaul expertise for the domestic and international aerospace markets.

Integrated Platform

The company provides highly effective, integrated platform capable of delivering high technology solutions within the composite aerospace industry. This includes Project Management, Design, Engineering, Manufacture, Inspection, Test and Reporting associated with the manufacture and material characterization of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, test specimens and associated test articles.

Full-Service Engineering Capabilities

Kaman Composite Structures also provides full service engineering from conceptual design and analysis to prototyping, tooling and testing. The firm’s capabilities include conceptual design and analysis, process engineering, tool design, material and component testing, prototyping and data storage.

High-Performance Maritime Helicopter

The SH-2G Super Seasprite is an advanced integrated maritime weapon system available today.The SH-2G Super Seasprite is a proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, excellent reliability, and proven capability (more than 1.5 million flight hours) are important benefits in the demanding maritime environment.

The SH-2G is a fully integrated, multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions.

It is also the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter on the market today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. In 1997 Kaman delivered its first international SH-2G Super Seasprite to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Today the SH-2G Super Seasprite is operated in Egypt, Poland, and New Zealand.

Integrated Aircraft Structures & Metallics

They know when they turn to Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics that they will receive the capabilities and experience of not just a Tier II supplier, but also a Super Tier II Structures Supplier that can serve as a Tier I on certain programs.

In order to meet the needs of OEMs, Super Tier Is and Tier Is, Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics can provide a complete package of products and services based on its capabilities of program management, SCM, design, manufacturing engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, tooling, kitting, system integration, global manufacturing. Kaman not only has the capabilities and experience to get the job done but the capacity and resources as well. Beyond this experience, customers appreciate that Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics treats them like partners, throughout the design and manufacturing process. Communication plays a vital role in any of its programs.

Not content to maintain the status quo, Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics has a comprehensive long-range business plan to continuously improve and to offer customers a source for larger and more complex programs. This plan is reviewed and modified frequently so that Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics can offer the market an aerostructures solution in tune with its needs. Over the last few years, Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics has invested in new machining equipment, new manufacturing software, a new facility in Mexico, personnel training, operating/management systems reviews, Lean, and additional manufacturing space at the Jacksonville, Florida, location. In addition, Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics is no longer just a “build-to-print” company; “design and build” services are now offered as well. Kaman Integrated Structures & Metallics is a nimble medium-size aerospace company with the backing of a large publically traded corporation.

Darlene Smith, Vice President /General Manager, Air Vehicles & MRO

After joining Kaman Aerospace in 2001, Mrs. Smith held the positions of AVP Business Systems for Kaman Aerospace Group; Senior Director of Operations for Kaman Precision Products; Director of Materials for Kaman Aerospace; and Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Kaman Aerosystems. Prior to her arrival at Kaman, Mrs. Smith had a variety of managerial positions at Pratt and Whitney, over a 21 year period.  These positions included Management of Logistics, Commercial Spare Part Sales, Aftermarket Sales, Materials, Continuous Improvement and Supply Chain.

Mrs. Smith holds her Master of Management degree from Cambridge College, and has over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace & Defense industries.

“Our capabilities include manufacturing, remanufacturing, component production, wire harness production, tool design and manufacture, and much more. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped and staffed to meet a wide range of manufacturing requirements.”