Mbb-Kawasaki BK117
The MBB/Kawasaki BK117 was developed jointly by German and Japanese manufacturers, an unusual cross-border partnership for a helicopter program, combining German rotor and transmission technology with Japanese airframe production. Its rigid rotor system, shared with the smaller Bo105, gives it strong agility for a helicopter of its size, useful for the emergency medical and rescue missions it's most commonly flown for. Continued development eventually merged it with Eurocopter's own designs to produce the modern EC145/H145. It remains a common sight in air ambulance fleets across Germany, Japan, and beyond.
Did you know?
The BK117 was developed jointly by German and Japanese manufacturers, pairing German rotor technology with Japanese airframe production.
Specifications
| Length | 13 m (43 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 9 |
| Persons on board | 10 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 3.3 t |
| Range | 340 NM (630 km) |
| Maximum speed | 150 kt (278 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 17,000 ft (5,182 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 10,000 ft (3,048 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,770 ft/min (9 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 460 l |
| Engines | 2x Safran Arriel 1E2 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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