Kaman Corporation/kəˈmɑːn/ is an American aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation firsts.
In 1956, Kaman began to diversify[2] as an aerospace subcontractor of McDonnell Douglas, Grumman, and others. In the mid-1960s Kaman diversified outside of the aerospace industry, using the expertise Kaman had gained in composite materials and the end of the need for skilled woodworkers to craft wooden rotor blades. Charles Kaman, a guitarist as well as an aerospace pioneer, worked with his engineers and other musicians to create the round-backed, composite-body Ovation guitar, which led to the eventual creation of Kaman Music, a major distributor and manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories.
History
Charles Kaman founded the company in December 1945 with $2,000 of capital and his invention of the servo-flap controlled rotor.[3]
K-225 - An improved version of the K-125; the U.S. Navy bought two and the U.S. Coast Guard one for $25,000 each. Later, they received the H-22 designation.
The HU2K-1, selected by the U.S. Navy as a general purpose naval helicopter, makes its first flight. It enters service as the UH-2A Seasprite in 1962.
March 1960
Kaman develops and flies the first[citation needed] all-composite main rotor blade.
In October 1961 the H-43 Huskie set an altitude record of 10,000 m (33,000 ft) and rate of climb records. Anton Flettner who emigrated to the United States and became the chief designer for Kaman Aircraft, creating the Kaman HH-43 Huskie.
During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Huskie flew more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined, with the best safety record of any U.S. military aircraft.
1962
UH-2A / B production begins.
January 1964
First flight of Kaman's experimental Convertiplane equipped with a GE J-85 turbojet engine and wings from a Beechcraft Queen Air. The aircraft achieves speeds of over 320 km/h.
1965
Tomahawk — A Seasprite modified with stub wings and a pair of twin guns side-by-side under the nose. Kaman's proposal for the U.S. Army 's interim gunship helicopter between the AAFSS (AH-56) and AAH (AH-64) competitions. Lost to the Bell 209 (AH-1 HueyCobra).
Due to the limited power of its single engine, the Seasprites are modified for the U.S. Navy into twin-turbine helicopters.
Kaman designs and begins manufacturing the K-747 blade, the world's first production all-composite rotor blade for the Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter. Total production exceeds 4,000 blades.
January 1991
Magic Lantern, a new laser-based mine countermeasures system, is deployed in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. It is highly successful in locating mines.
February 1993
SH-2G Super Seasprite — The new version of the Seasprite, with new avionics, mission electronics, and GE T-700 engines, enters U.S. Navy service.
The Egyptian Air Force accepts delivery of its 10th SH-2G Super Seasprite for use in anti-submarine warfare missions, completing the order and becoming the first international customer to operate the aircraft.
August 1999
New Zealand approves purchase of SH-2G(NZ).
January 2000
Australian SH-2G(A) begins initial flight testing.
January 2001
U.S. federal government purchases 5 K-MAX for Peru.
July 24, 2002
Kaman Acquires RWG Frankenjura-Industrie Flugwerklager GmbH, a manufacturer of spherical and ball bearings, rod ends, bushings and specialty components primarily for the aerospace industry.[8]
October 2002
The 5 Peruvian K-MAX are transferred to the Colombian Army where they are still in service as of 2008.
June 2008
All Royal Australian Navy SH-2G Seasprite helicopters are withdrawn from service and returned to supplier[9] as budget blew-out and contract specifications unable to be met.
Kaman acquires Brookhouse Holdings Limited, a world leading composite development company based in the United Kingdom, and renames it Kaman Composites UK Ltd.[10]
Kaman announces that it was acquiring GRW Bearing GmbH for $142.9 million. GRW designs and manufactures precision ball bearings, and has production facilities in Europe.[12]
August 26, 2019
Kaman announced that it has completed the sale of its "KAMAN Distribution Group" segment to affiliates of Littlejohn & Co. for total cash consideration of $700 million [13]
January 20, 2020
Kaman completes acquisition of Bal Seal Engineering Inc., which designs, develops, and manufactures highly engineered products including precision springs, seals, and contacts.[14][15]
May 2022
Kaman announced it had acquired Parker-Hannifin's aircraft wheel and brake division for $440 million US.[16]
January 18, 2023
Kaman Corporation announced it will end the K-MAX production line, citing “low demand and variation in annual deliveries, coupled with low profitability and large working capital inventory requirements”, according to an 18 January statement.[17][18]
January 19, 2024
Kaman agreed to be acquired by private equity firm Arcline Investment Management for $1.29 billion.[19]
April 19, 2024
It was announced that Arcline Investment Management, L.P. had completed its purchase of the company for approximately $1.8 billion.[20]
