The Bk117 was a joint development between Kawasaki and German MBB (then Eurocopter, now Airbus). Serial production began in 1983.
Kawasaki produced the cabin for all Bk117/EC145/H145 built worldwide (Germany, Japan and USA).
As of May 2019, Kawasaki has delivered 178 Bk117/EC145 helicopters to local and regional customers.
As of May 2019, Kawasaki has delivered 178 Bk117/EC145 helicopters to local and regional customers.
bk117 News |
New Kawasaki Bk117D3 for Shizuoka Firefighters
22-Apr-24 - Kawasaki receives order for a H145 / BK117D3 from the Shizuoka City firefighting and disaster relief aviation unit. The new helicopter will be delivered in March 2026 #Shizuoka
Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Orders Kawasaki Bk117D3
04-Mar-24 - Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Co Orders a Japan-made Airbus/Kawasaki H145/Bk117D-3 press helicopter for six stations in the ANN Tohoku block #newscopter
Third Kawasaki BK117D-3 to Central Helicopter Service
09-Feb-24 - The Kawasaki production line in Japan delivered the third H145 / Bk117D3 to local operator Central Helicopter Service (CHS) . The helicopter was in air ambulance configuration and will be operated on behalf national agency Doctor-Heli #Kawasaki
New Orders for Kawasaki Bk117D3 Helicopters
02-May-23 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) will deliver a 3rd and 4th 5-bladed helicopter to the Japanese National Police Agency. Also a VIP helicopter was ordered by NMB-Minebea Thai Ltd #Bk117D3
Kawasaki Bk117D3 for CHS / Doctor-Heli
27-Dec-22 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) delivered another locally manufactured Bk117D3 ( Airbus H145D3) to Central Helicopter Service (CHS) to be used as air ambulance by national medical service Doctor-Heli #Bk117D3| More News ... |  |
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Derivatives & Versions of bk117 |
| Model | Year | History |
|---|---|---|
| BK117A-4 | ||
| BK117B-1 | ||
| BK117B-2 | ||
| BK117C-1 | ||
| BK117A-1 1982 | 1982 | |
| BK117A-3 1985 | 1985 | |
| BK117C-2 2002 | 2002 | Eurocopter EC145T1 built in Japan |
| BK117D-2 2016 | 2016 | The H145 / EC145T2 was originally to be built also in Japan but production never started and was succeeded by the Bk117D3 |
| BK117D-3 2019 | 2019 | Airbus presented a five-bladed main rotor variant of the H145 in 2019 |
