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Kaman began development of the Huskie in 1950 for the Navy and Marine Corps. The prototype first flew in 1953. The helicopter's twin intermeshed rotor configuration eliminates the need for a tail rotor, but the angle at which the must be mounted forces the rotor blades to approach very near the ground when the aircraft is landed making it very difficult to get close to the aircraft while the rotors are turning. In 1958, the Air Force adopted the Huskie for aircraft rescue and firefighting. The strong downwash from the rotor blades could actually push a fire away from a trapped crewman and the rescue teams. A civil version of the HH-43 called the K-Max was developed during the 1990s.
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| Main Rotor Diameter |
47 ft |
| Length |
47 ft |
| Height |
17 ft 2 in |
| Weight |
9,150 lbs |
| Maximum Speed |
120 mph |
| Service Ceiling |
25,000 ft |
| Range |
185 miles |
| Engines |
1 Lycoming T-53 turbine with 860 horsepower |
| Crew |
3 |
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