U.S. Congressional and presidential approval was given earlier this month for the $32 million acquisition of five Kaman K-Max flying crane helicopters for use by an as yet unnamed South American country as part of the U.S.- funded anti-drug drive.

Show News understands that the customer is Peru, where the versatile workhorses are expected to be operated by that country's armed services, probably the paramilitary police force.

This will be he first military sale of K-Max. Although details are still being finalized at the U.S. State Department, the formal contract is expected to be signed within the next three months. First delivery will be before year's end.

Able to lift three-ton underslung loads, the K-Maxes will be used for vertical re-supply of ground forces combating narcotic cultivation, processing and transport in frequently hot-and-high environments which have poor access for surface vehicles.
Austria has become the latest country to certificate the K-Max, following Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. Some 80,000 flight hours have been logged by the fleet since service entry in l994. Two have recently having been sold in Austria and Germany. Six or more will be completed this year, with No. 36 currently on the Bloomfield, Connecticut assembly line.

By Bob Rodwell