In the US, the timing of the start of tests of the optionally controlled K-Max synchropter was announced

The K-Max remote-controlled synchropter developed by the American company Kaman will begin testing in the first half of this year. The main focus will be on the unit converting a conventional helicopter with an optionally piloted one.

According to AINonline, the development of a remote-controlled version of the K-Max synchropter has been underway since 2019. In addition to the version with the already installed system, the customer can purchase a separate remote control kit, which is installed on the helicopters already in operation.

The company is also working on an autonomous version of the K-Max for the Marine Corps. The new machines will be able to carry out loading and unloading operations with minimal involvement of operators.

Synchropters K-Max (flying crane) were produced from 1991 to 2003, after which production was stopped due to lack of orders. In 2015, Kaman resumed the assembly of helicopters.

A distinctive feature of K-Max synchropters is the transverse arrangement of two rotors, the planes of rotation of which are angled to each other and intersect. The rotation of the screws is synchronized and produced in opposite directions. It is believed that such a scheme greatly simplifies the control of the helicopter in hover mode or at low speed.

K-Max with a length of 15,8 and a height of 4,14 meter is equipped with screws with a diameter of 14,7 each. The maximum take-off weight of the device is 5,4 tons. Synchropper can reach speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and fly over distances up to 500 kilometers.

In the spring of 2019, Kamov JSC announced the completion of the draft design of a promising high-speed helicopter of the synchropter scheme with two main and one pushing screws. The declared characteristics of the machine: takeoff weight 6500 kg, payload weight 1000 kg, cruising speed 357 km / h, maximum speed 420 km / h, static ceiling 4700 m, dynamic ceiling 5600 m, flight range 1228 km.

Comments

[evgen1221]

Kaman is a small company with its only unusual helicopter, nothing more than a demonstrator that it can fly anyway. It has not received wide distribution and sales for many years and will already receive navryatli due to the technology of high-speed helicopters from Sikorski.

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: evgen1221

Kaman is a small company with its only unusual helicopter,

The Germans had such a synchropter even during the war. Yes, something did not help much.
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flettner_Fl_282

[Bad_gr]

Quote: evgen1221

Kaman is a small company with its only unusual helicopter, ...... It did not receive wide distribution and sales

From Wiki:
"... Of the 37 machines produced in 1991-2003 (including prototypes) at the end of 2007, 23 are in operation, 2 are stored at the Kaman plant. [1]
The machines are used in the construction and export of timber from remote and mountainous regions of the USA, Austria, Korea, Colombia, Peru, Switzerland, and Japan. ... "

Quote: evgen1221

nothing more than a demonstrator that it can fly anyway.

They also had this (Kaman HH-43В Huskie)

By the way, Boeing CH-47 Chinook

this is the same, synchropter, only the screws are not across, but along and more spaced apart (but they, like Kaman, in overlap)

[Piramidon]

Quote: Bad_gr

By the way, Boeing CH-47 Chinook

this is the same, synchropter, only the screws are not across, but along and more spaced apart (but they, like Kaman, in overlap)

What kind of overlap is there if the planes of rotation of the screws are at different heights?

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Piramidon

What kind of overlap is there if the planes of rotation of the screws are at different heights?

[venik]

Quote: evgen1221

Kaman is a small company with its only unusual helicopter, nothing more than a demonstrator that it can fly anyway.

======
Yours is not true! The "Kaman" company has existed since 1945 and is a very diversified enterprise (in fact, it is a group of companies that do just about anything - from musical instruments to nuclear and space research and equipment for nuclear power plants) with an annual turnover of over $ 1 billion. Kaman Aircraft is engaged in the production of helicopters - this is, so to speak, the "historical core" of the group of companies. It did not have much success in the civilian market, the main customer is the US Navy of some of its allies. The most popular model was the UH-2 / SH-2 Seasprite (at one time it was the main carrier-based anti-submarine helicopter of the US Navy):

In addition, the Kaman HH-43 Huskie synchrocopter (1947 (!)) Is well known:

It's still a funny resemblance to the Ka-26 and its descendants), although the designs are different ...

[Bradley]

Ugly machine.

[Alien From]

So there is a failure in synchronization and kirdyk ...

[aars]

Only if the gearbox is destroyed.

[Alien From]

Yes, this is understandable, but still dumb)))

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Alien From

So there is a failure in synchronization and kirdyk ...

Which is less likely than overlap of blades in twin-rotor, and chopping off one's own tail in single-rotor (with a rear compensating moment, propeller)

[Alien From]

I'm afraid to fly (hence such thoughts ...

[General failure]

Everything can be solved. At first, the Kamov co-axes also had problems with overlapping blades. Wait - no.

[Alien From]

I respect Kamov helicopters), especially when they go at low level), the sound cannot be confused with anything

[venik]

Quote: Alien From

So there is a failure in synchronization and kirdyk ...

========
And if the tail rotor gearbox collapses in the "classical" scheme, WHAT will happen? The answer is extremely simple: KIRDYK!
By the way, the synchrocopters from "Kaman" have established themselves as very reliable machines .....

[Real Pilot]

This is a way to bring a less successful helicopter model to life.
At the same time, talk has been going on for a long time about the optionally piloted version, I read this news about 5 years ago. Now they seem to have done it.

Like a flying crane, a machine is nothing, light and load-lifting. Suitable for a drone, while such a solution will be inexpensive. In general, the synchrocopter circuit provides roll stability, which is good for a drone.

However, with inept piloting, it is easier to touch the ground with the blades, because the propeller is tilted. Whoever landed the helicopter (in my case, Robinson R44) understands its instability at the moment of touching the platform, as the back sweats at first

[Bad_gr]

Quote: RealPilot

This is a way to bring a less successful helicopter model to life.

".... JSC" Kamov "(part of the holding" Russian Helicopters ") has developed a draft design of a promising high-speed helicopter of the" synchropter "(or" synchrocopter ") scheme with two main and one pushing rotor. The maximum design speed of the machine reaches 420 km / h, follows from the developer's presentation, a copy of which is at the disposal of TASS.
"A project has been developed for a promising high-speed vertical take-off and landing aircraft based on a synchropter helicopter with a pushing propeller," the annotation to the presentation says. - "Formed general view, layout and calculated performance characteristics of the aircraft" .... " https://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2019/04/24/585891.html

[Klingon]

I wonder why schemes like three, quadro or multicopter have not become widespread in manned aviation? After all, it is much easier to pilot such systems, neither a swashplate nor a screw compensator is needed, and the stability is much greater at any height. Now someone will write that such systems are unreliable and in case of a possible breakdown of one of the rotors, an inevitable fall will occur due to the impossibility of autorotation, but I do not think that these problems are insoluble. It's just that no one dealt with them

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Klingon

schemes like three, quadro or multicopter?

Slowly they begin to appear. Many air taxi projects for cities are coming out. In this area they are + surpassed by -.

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Klingon

I wonder why schemes like three, quadro or multicopter have not become widespread in manned aviation?

Technology did not allow, too complex kinematics.
Now it can be done easier: a gas turbine with a generator and four propellers with electric motors - here you have a controlled quadcopter.
What else I like about this scheme: there is no problem to put the catapult on the pilot and the operator (if there are two in the crew).

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Klingon

type three schemes, quadro or multicopter

Such ?

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[General failure]

Because, it takes a complex transmission to transfer torque from one engine to several propellers.
Or several engines, but they need to be synchronized, besides, by weight, 2 engines of lower power lose to 1 large engine.
And that's all - weight.

Also, several propellers do not influence each other very well in forward flight, which leads to losses.

Also, I read somewhere that multi-propeller schemes from the point of view of aerodynamics are obviously inferior to multi-propeller ones.

In short, the devil, as always, is in the details.

[evgen1221]

First of all, the power losses in the gearboxes and rods, then the dimensions of the swept surfaces and then on the troubles list. Plus the price per unit of power and carrying capacity.

[dauria]

I wonder why schemes like three, quadro or multicopter have not become widespread in manned aviation?

Manage turnover? It will not work, the throttle response of the engine will not. This is not an electric motor. Well, if only our cryogenic generator-engine is blinded. Then real. But in any case, the efficiency of the screw itself. If according to school, without aerodynamics - there is available power with a supply of fuel for a while. It is necessary to turn it into a lifting force (thrust). Force is the derivative of the momentum (M x V). You can increase the mass of air per second, you can throw it away. More profitable with a larger mass at a lower speed for a simple reason - less energy is required for the same thrust. Em We square in half, if you have not forgotten.
So your simplification is fake. All the same, we need a soft suspension of the blades through the hinges - they should "walk" freely in the seal. This is not a quadric - a toy, it will blow away nafig from cyclic loads. And in efficiency you will lose thoroughly, only you will burn up on kerosene.

[Klingon]

Thank you for the clarification. but if you seriously deal with these problems, they can be solved. You can use the scheme of a thought multiconvertoplane. The device has, for example, 4 bearing planes with twin rotor groups at the ends in swivel nacelles ... well, yes, it is difficult. Okay, let's wait for the hydrogen plasma engines

[pytar]

Interestingly, one of the first helicopters to fly was a synchropter! German Flettner Fl-282 1940 year.
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flettner_Fl_282
https://airpages.ru/lw/fl282model_3.shtml

[businessv]

Quote: pytar

Interestingly, one of the first helicopters to fly was a synchropter!

A very interesting topic! You just wonder!

[Emil mamedoff]

With such a carrying capacity and a flight ceiling, the version with Toplite + NLOS II ATGM is requested.

For the destruction of short-range object air defense systems, for example, because this turntable will be able to destroy them from a distance of 30-35 km. It will also stop the movement of any enemy armored convoy that tries to get closer to a distance closer than 30 km. Or as a carrier of Nimrod 3, there the range will increase to 50 km. It will help both in the offensive and in the defense.

[Yaro Polk]

As if from the 70s, archaic, only Fantomas can fly on this

[businessv]

In the spring of 2019, Kamov JSC announced the completion of the draft design of a promising high-speed helicopter of the synchropter scheme with two main and one pushing screws.

You could have squeezed a sketch here, so as not to rustle yourself!

[Sergey Averchenkov]

I read about this 15 years ago.