Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today its first domestic delivery in Japan of its latest-model helicopter, the H145//BK117 D-3 (“D-3”). The delivery was made to Central Helicopter Service Ltd. on August 20, 2021, and the new aircraft is slated for use in emergency medical services, crew training and other applications.

The D-3 is an improved version of the BK117 D-2 (“D-2”), which is currently in use. The D-3 preserves the advantages and features of D-2, which include a spacious cabin with an entirely flat floor, clamshell-type cargo doors at the rear that provide excellent application versatility, improved high-altitude hovering performance, greater noise reduction, and the latest avionics (electronic systems) to reduce demands on the pilot. It also features a new main rotor system (five-blade main rotor) that provides the following performance improvements.

The BK117 is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter jointly developed through international collaboration with the European helicopter manufacturer Airbus Helicopters and used for various purposes, including emergency medical services, firefighting, disaster relief, law enforcement, broadcasting, and personnel and cargo transport. Following delivery of the first model in 1983, the BK117 has been continually improved over the years, and thanks to the aircraft’s outstanding technological strengths and high reliability, Kawasaki has successfully delivered 182 units as of August 23, 2021, and more than 1,600 worldwide with deliveries of Airbus Helicopters combined.

Moving forward, Kawasaki will continue making performance improvements to the BK117, and developing new equipment and components for various applications. Furthermore, Kawasaki will leverage the strong customer trust fostered through successful deliveries in the past, as well as the company’s comprehensive customer support system encompassing everything from development to manufacturing, sales and after-sales services, in the pursuit of further business around the world.