-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 L44hwXmIie5MnISBBIHoBe8mlhqEgvsALE9Wy8QsV47wglmtNRIPnGiw/Uc3MxMu
 2UQg5YjRtDJfbfhqdmgUWw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000054381-04-000017.txt : 20040204
<SEC-HEADER>0000054381-04-000017.hdr.sgml : 20040204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040204094321
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000054381-04-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040204

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SWIFT RICHARD J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001200537

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-66179
		FILM NUMBER:		04564895

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PSEG
		STREET 2:		80 PARK PLAZA
		CITY:			NEWARK
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07102-4194

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY,
		STREET 2:		200 CHESTNUT RIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			WOODCLIFF LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07677

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KAMAN CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000054381
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES [5080]
		IRS NUMBER:				060613548
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CT
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1332 BLUE HILLS AVE
		CITY:			BLOOMFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8602437100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1332 BLUE HILLS AVE
		CITY:			BLOOMFIELD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06002

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KAMAN AIRCRAFT CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19680403
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001200537d20040203f5f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000054381</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KAMAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KAMNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001200537</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SWIFT RICHARD J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 BUTTERNUT LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BASKING RIDGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07920</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Kaman Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard J Swift</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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