MBB-Kawasaki BK 117

History of the MBB-Kawasaki BK 117

The MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 is a twin-engine medium transport helicopter. It was jointly developed and manufactured by Messerschmitt-Borkov-Blom (MBB) of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan. MBB was later acquired by Daimler-Benz and eventually became part of Eurocopter, later renamed Airbus Helicopters.

On February 25, 1977, MBB and Kawasaki signed a cooperation agreement, abandoning their independent twin-engine utility helicopter design work in favor of a joint venture to develop a new rotorcraft. While the cost of the program is shared equally, the workload is divided into specific areas of the design. MBB used its expertise in fixed rotor systems used on the earlier Bo 105 to develop most of the dynamic systems and flight controls, while Kawasaki focused on the airframe, structural elements and various other components.

On June 13, 1979, a flying prototype of the MBB made its maiden flight in Ottobrunn, Bavaria, Germany; a few months later, a Kawasaki prototype followed on August 10, 1979 in the city of Gifu in the central region of Japan.

Each company established its own final assembly line and produced the BK 117 for its respective region. The BK 117 has proven popular among passengers and VIP transports, and the cabin can be equipped with a variety of seating configurations for 7 to 10 passengers.

It is also used in various surgeries such as: B. Aerial crane and sling operations, law enforcement and military transport, it is special as an air ambulance and a search and rescue platform. In the 1990s, due to its popularity, a refined derivative was developed from the BK 117 C-1 version, initially marketed as BK 117 C-2, later renamed EC 145, and later H145.

This improved version of the rotorcraft has replaced the original BK 117 in production.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1982

Origins

Germany

Status

Active.

Crew

1

Production

443

Manufacturer

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) - West Germany/Kawasaki - Japan

Operators

Australia; Boptaswana; Canada; Chile; Cisquet; Colombia; West Germany (Germany); Greece; Japan; Kenya; Madagascar; New Zealand; Peru; Russia ;Spain;South Africa;Taiwan;Transkei;United States;Venda

Roles

Special Mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements through specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

VIP Service

Used in the VIP (Very Important Person) passenger role, usually with above-average amenities and luxury as standard.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

32.5 feet

(9.90m)

Width/span

36. 1 ft

(11.00m)

Height

12.6 feet

(3.85m)

Cured weight

3,814 lbs

(1,730 kg)

MTOW

7,385 lbs

(3,350 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?3,571

(+1,620 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 Textron Lycoming LTS 101-750B-1 turboshaft engines, each producing 595 hp, driving a four-blade main rotor with a two-blade tail rotor unit.

Maximum speed

155 km/h

(250 km/h | 135 kn)

Maximum

15,010 feet

(4,575 m | 3 km)

Area

536 km

(540 km | 1,000 nautical miles)

rate of climb

650 m/min

(660 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None.

VARIANTS

BK 117 - Name of the base series. BK 117 S-01BK 117 P-3/P-5BK 117 A-1BK 117 A-3BK 117 A-3MBK 117 A-4BK 117 B-1BK 117 B-1CBK 117 B-2BK 117 /p]