KAMAN AEROSPACE has signed a deal to distribute the K-MAX external-lift helicopter in Japan. Japanese distribution company Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha (KBK) has purchased one K-MAX for delivery in October and taken options on four more.
The contract, which includes a refurbished Kaman H-43 Husky for use as a trainer, is expected to be worth more than $20 million.
KBK is already a distributor of Kaman rotor blades for the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.
Four K-MAX are now in service with US operators, and aircraft were delivered to Helog, of Switzerland, in May, and Midwest Helicopters, of Canada, in June.
Kaman has agreed in principle to lease a K-MAX to France's Heli-Union from September to support oil exploration by Total in north-western Bolivia. Kaman plans to use two K-MAX in a commercial-helicopter demonstration for the US Navy.
Source: Flight International
