Kaman Helicopters has delivered the 1,000th helicopter rotor blade protected with Kaman’s erosion-resistant coating system. US Army BLACK HAWK helicopters are utilizing main rotor blades with Kaman’s innovative coating system and have reported significantly
improved blade life, increased aircraft availability and reduced maintenance requirements.
The latest erosion-resistant blade delivery defines another successful chapter in Kaman’s ongoing support of US warfighters around the world. The program has been in production for more than two years with a flawless quality assurance record.
As the only US company certified to apply Hontek sprayable protective coatings to rotor blades, Kaman has improved the operational effectiveness of US Army BLACK HAWK helicopters flying in the harsh desert environments of Iraq and Afghanistan where sand can cause damage to the leading edges of helicopter blades during rotation. Coated rotor blades operate effectively in rain, sand, gravel and icing conditions, and worn coatings can easily be repaired in the field. After reviewing the system’s proven performance with the U.S. Army, the Naval Air Systems Command is qualifying the coating process for use on US Navy and Marine Corps helicopters.
Kaman has invested heavily in infrastructure and equipment at its HeliworX subcontracting facility to support the rotor blade protection program and to develop its world class design, development, manufacture and repair of composite rotor blades.
Kaman Helicopters is a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ-GS: KAMN). Founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, Kaman conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.
The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safing and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the US and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is also the third largest industrial distributor of bearings, power transmission, fluid power, motion control and automation products in North America and operates more than 200 branches, distribution centers and customer service centers across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.