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Kaman unmanned K-max helicopter wins award

Oct. 12, 2011 – Bloomfield, Conn., The Kaman Unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter has received the Platinum Innovation Prize from the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership, Inc. The Unmanned K-MAX is an innovative helicopter that combines unique lift efficiency with the flexibility of programmable unmanned flight to handle a wide variety of military and civil missions.

“Even in an uncertain economy, Kaman Aerospace has shown that forward-looking organizations continue to introduce and bring to market new products and services,” said Sheila Carmine, founder and director of the Partnership. The award cites the Unmanned K-MAX cargo helicopter for “saving lives through innovation,” and Carmine added that “No other unmanned rotary-wing vehicle has the capability and the proven performance of Kaman's Unmanned K-MAX.”

“Kaman is honored to receive a platinum CQIA Innovation Prize,” said Terry Fogarty, General Manager of Kaman Helicopters’ Unmanned Aircraft Systems Product Group, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “The Unmanned K-MAX’s proven performance and exceptional lift capability will enable our armed forces to handle combat resupply missions without exposing air crews to danger on the battlefield, and alleviate the exposure to improvised explosive devices associated with ground convoys. Kaman’s innovat ion can truly save lives.”

The Unmanned K-MAX, developed by Kaman Aerospace Corp.’s Helicopters Division and Lockheed Martin, has recently been given the go-ahead for deployment to Afghanistan for the U.S. Marine Corps Cargo Resupply Program. The program meets the urgent need for an unmanned aerial system to safely deliver supplies to U.S. armed forces in combat areas.

Kaman’s manned version of the K-MAX has accumulated more than 265,000 flight hours in the commercial logging and firefighting industry, where it routinely delivers sling loads up to 6,000 pounds, and one million pounds per day in helicopter logging operations.

Founded in 1987, the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Partnership, Inc. is America’s first state-level quality award utilizing the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence criteria. The CQIA Platinum Innovation Prize is the group’s highest award.

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.