Lockheed Martin's K-MAX Helicopter Briefing & Flight Demo

[@AlaskaErik]

Whoever came up with that rotor system was definitely thinking outside the box. I wonder how many people told the poor guy he was nuts!

[@doktorbimmer]

*A brilliant German engineer named Anton Flettner... a true genius, he created the world first series production helicopters for the Luftwaffe ( Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri) and later became chief engineer at Kaman Aircraft.*

[@atomicskull6405]

The servo flaps idea was invented by Charles Kaman while he was working for Sikorski. He was told they didn't need another inventor at the company so he left and started his own company.

[@frankt.1391]

not a genius in the practical sense he made a chopper that could chop your head off. Why don't you think the soviets didn't copy it?

[@meadmaker4525]

Really interesting design. I have always like the dual rotor/coaxial rotor helicopters, like the KA-32. If I had the opportunity, I'd ask the designer why they have a tail boom extending beyond the rotor discs when no tail rotor is necessary. If you removed that boom and ended the helicopter at the stabilizers just ahead of that, you'd save even more weight and be able to fit into tighter spaces (like the KA-32). Also, is it me or does it seem quite a bit quieter than other helicopters? I'm fascinated by the flaps on the rotors. Amazing machine. They've obviously trimmed it down to bare fuselage minimums, thus the shape, but if you put a more bulbous fuselage on there you'd have copious amounts of room for passengers or internal cargo, or put pylons on it and call it a gunship!! So many possibilities!!

[@drumking241]

The tailboom is a counter weight for the front end of it, (the cockpit)

[@Einwetok]

Co axials are too slow for a gunship role and have issues in strong winds. Great for sling loads, and firefighting. Search an rescue would need a much bigger fuselage.

[@jdhiner1]

And the tail booms vertical stabs give the helicopter stability in forward flight also i believe the small rudder on the vertical stab moves with the yaw pedals

[@jdhiner1]

@@Einwetok Yes correct this relatively small helicopter can sling 6000 lbs

[@Einwetok]

@@jdhiner1 Reminds me of an A4. Could haul it's own weight in bombs.

[@tomthompson7400]

even seven years on it looks so futuristic ..

[@waynearrington6727]

Mid to late 1930s German technology. I logged, fought fire and built power line in these before I retired. It's very capable but no fun at all to fly.

[@tomthompson7400]

@@waynearrington6727 good grief , they look like they should be a real hoot , like those Kamov 28 things ,, but its still a better job than digging holes in the road ,,,

[@jdhiner1]

the original helicopter with this system was the h43 the airforce used it for fighting aircraft crash fires and rescue. after its service companies discovered its heavy lift capability for its size the Kmax was designed to use the heavy lift capability but got rid of about 70% of the fuselage

[@giuseppemaenza9255]

Fantastico elicottero, una meraviglia tecnologica.

[@FLORIDALIFEFUN]

How do you approach this egg beater? is it safe to approach it from the front?

[@moremoneyfordreadnoughts1100]

From the rear is good, too, just like with the H-43 from which it was derived.

[@johnyted]

It is a modern Nazi Kolibri, with the FLETTNER FL 282 KOLIBRI elevation system, invented by Anton Flettner, a German engineer and inventor born in 1885. There is a predecessor post of this Lockheed on my channel ;)

[@bipedal-ape-man]

The Germans designed so much of today military equipment like the flying wing concept. This coaxial helicopter. the V2 rocket, the blue prints and concept of the nuclear bomb and so much more. It makes me uneasy now that there military is free from restrictions again after 2022.

[@joshdenton611]

a twin engine intermeshing triblade would be an interesting variant😉

[@zyziux]

Easy doable in 4D space.

[@kenfoote2598]

Other neat thing, both the engine and helicopter were produced "down the street" from each other.

[@theman3282]

this is close to dune ornithopter..so cool

[@joestreet7036]

I was amazed that it only has one seat.i would think they would make two seater for instruction

[@shooter86-uw8ce]

Kaman has two flying models of this crafts predecessor , the HH-43 Huskie at their factory which they use for training pilots to solo in the K-Max

[@ik04]

I really want to fly one of these... Any offers from a user?

[@fjb4932]

ik04 Qualifications ? ...

[@ik04]

@@fjb4932 ATP helicopter and Airplane, 11,000 hrs Total 7500 PIC & Instructor. Extensive external load and long line experience in CH-47...

[@fjb4932]

Certified to the max !

[@stephenmatthias3503]

Looks like a Dragon Fly ?

[@linardskinard8199]

The first time my wife saw one in flight, thats what she said and I agree ,but as it turns out ,Sikorsky Aircraft H-5 was called the "Dragon Fly" bur I think the name fits this machine better

[@Johnlc081102]

No love for the upcoming CH53K?

[@Johnlc081102]

@usmc7242 hoorah

[@helicopterovirtual-msfs6254]

Fantástico.

[@진형김-b5t]

놀라운 구조의 헬리콥터

[@autonuker]

How to synchropters are rotate around its axis? How does the torque appears?

[@autonuker]

Oh! I see. No torque. It's just rudder and airflow )

[@griffn14]

It is yawed by a combination of differential torque (by increasing pitch on one rotor and decreasing it on the other), and tilting the rotors slightly in opposite directions.

[@terrylsc1]

When the rotors first start spinning you think this is not going to work.

[@dankuettel5063]

Why do people question if this is Lockheed? Ever heard of companies buying the rights to make a machine before? Good grief. By the way, is this at Dobbins GA? Looks familiar

[@doktorbimmer]

+Evil Bastard Wrong, Lockheed would become a licensee

[@jonhaskins617]

Kaman Corp. K-Max is not Lockheed. This helicopter is owned by Lockheed for the program described above. Kaman designed and built the helicopter.

[@enesb.114]

This helicopter and sistem very beautiful is amazing...

[@indigodragon7129]

Design these with ducted rotor's that pivot and design a very different aircraft. Be neat to see platform's lift off a ship and land on a beach and pick up large groups of people. Then land back on the ship they were launched from.

[@caliburncymro7988]

I think that there might be a KZbin video of a Flettner (the original syncropter layout) landing and taking off from a ship. But look for Flettner anyway

[@mendozaconsultation]

200 gal and can only fly for 2 hrs..not good

[@davidhames319]

Flying blender

[@mariogeis9558]

Cooling, Milking, Farming