Kaman Corporation is aggressively pursuing sales of the K-MAX® helicopter to firefighting operators worldwide, and will be assessing the firefighting market in Latin America during the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) (Stand C44) in Santiago, Chile, March 29 through April 1, 2016.

“The K-MAX is extremely well regarded for aerial firefighting, and market indicators are very positive in that segment,” said Terry Fogarty, Director of Business Development for K-MAX Helicopter Programs. “We are especially pleased that the U.S. Forest Service recently awarded 10 multi-year firefighting contracts to K-MAX operators totaling $74 million USD in the aggregate.”

K-MAX production is in full swing, with work being done at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Conn. and Jacksonville, Fla. facilities. The first delivery is slated for early 2017 to Lectern Aviation Supply of China. Lectern aircraft will fight fires for the Chinese Department of Forestry. Other customers for new production aircraft include current K‑MAX operators Rotex Helicopter AG, of Switzerland, and Helicopter Express, of Chamblee, Georgia.

With a fuel burn of just 85 gallons per hour, the K-MAX helicopter is a cost-effective workhorse that can uniquely lift up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg), even in high/hot conditions.