Kaman CQ-24A K-Max

The Kaman CQ-24A K-MAX is a transport helicopter with intermeshing rotors, synchropter, designed and produced by the American manufacturer Kaman Aircraft. It was specially designed to optimally perform external cargo load operations. The K-MAX is capable of lifting payloads more than 6,000 pounds, which is greater than the helicopter’s empty weight and twice as much as other helicopters designed to lift heavy payloads. The K-MAX flew its maiden flight on 23 December 1991. By 1998, a UAV version was being designed. Kaman produced 38 K-MAX helicopters before shuttering the production line in 2003.

In 2007, Kaman and Lockheed Martin agreed to jointly pursue an unmanned mostly autonomously flying, optionally remote controlled and optionally piloted vehicle version of the K-MAX. During 2010, a pair of unmanned K-MAX helicopters underwent an extended battlefield evaluation as cargo UAVs. Both were deployed to Afghanistan to provide logistics support to US Marine Corps (USMC) ground forces during Operation Enduring Freedom. After receiving a high volume of requests for firefighting, logging, and industry transport, production of the K-MAX resumed in early 2015. This production phase ended in 2023 with 90 K-MAX helicopters produced.

Service History

Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum in 2025 by the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the displayed Kaman CQ-24A K-MAX helicopter was one of two operated by the USMC in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2014. On 17 December 2011, The USMC conducted the first unmanned K-MAX flight delivering nearly 3,500 pounds of supplies to combat outpost Pain. In a single day, over the course of six flights, 30,000 pounds of cargo was delivered. The K-MAX earned the distinction of completing the first unmanned aerial system cargo delivery in a combat zone and successfully delivered nearly five million pounds of life cargo. The flight operations of the K-MAX reduced the need for convoys and prevented countless roadside attacks.

Manufacturer
Kaman

Markings
U.S. Marine Corps

Designation
CQ-24A

Registration
N360KA

Serial Number
A94-0031, 169222