Domestic Push - Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivered it's 1st five-bladed H145 (BK117 D-3) Helicopter to ' Doctor-Heli' in Japan !

On  23rd  August  2021, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced of delivering its first domestic transaction of its latest-model helicopter, the H145//BK117 D-3 (“D-3”).

The delivery was done 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.

Originally designated as the BK 117, the H145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, which became a part of the combined Eurocopter line-up in 1992 with the merger of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm's helicopter division of Daimler-Benz and the helicopter division of Aérospatiale-Matra to form Eurocopter.

The BK117 D-3  with a five main rotor blade system inherites features of preceding BK117 D-2 that has earned high acclaim, such as versatility, wide clamshell doors at the rear, outstanding hovering performance and low noise level.

Earlier on March 06th 2019, Kawasaki Heavy Industries had announced that Central Helicopter Service Ltd., which operates 10 BK117 helicopters for EMS, disaster prevention operations and VIP transportations in Japan, will be the first customer to use H145//BK117 D-3 in Asia.

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.

The H145 also features a new main rotor system (five-blade main rotor) that provides the following performance improvements.

1. Increase of useful load weight by approximately 150 kg:
   Maximum Takeoff Weight was increased by approximately 100 kg, and the total empty weight was reduced by approximately 50kg, increasing the useful load of the D-3 by approximately 150 kg.
2. Reduction of maintenance period by approximately 50%:
   A contribution of fewer inspection items and intervals, the adoption of a modern, easy-to-maintain main rotor system.

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.

On 1st July21, Kawasaki Heavy Industries had announced of receiving an order from Fukuoka City for the five-bladed H145  for the firefighting and disaster prevention.

Kawasaki expects to 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.