MBB/Kawasaki BK 117

Infobox Aircraft
name = BK 117
type = Utility/transport
national origin = Germany / Japan
manufacturer = Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) / Kawasaki Heavy Industries

---

caption = A BK-117 B2 of the German police in Northrhine-Westphalia
designer =
first flight = 13 June 1979
introduced = 9 December 1982
retired =
status = Production
primary user =
more users =
produced = 1979-19
number built = 400+
unit cost =
developed from = MBB Bo 105
variants with their own articles = Eurocopter EC 145

The MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 is a twin-engined medium utility/transport helicopter. It was a joint development between Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan. MBB was later purchased by Daimler-Benz and eventually became a part of Eurocopter. The BK 117 is popular for passenger and VIP-transport, seating from seven up to ten people. It is also used for aerial crane and sling work, law enforcement, military transport, and is exceptional as an air ambulance and search and rescue platform. A developed version of the BK 117 is produced as the EC 145.

Development

The BK 117 was a joint development between MBB and Kawasaki based on an agreement made on 25 February 1977. The agreement would replace two separate developments by both companies; the Bo 107 by MBB and the KH-7 from Kawasaki.cite web|url=http://avia.russian.ee/helicopters_eng/mbb-117.php|title=MBB/Kawasaki BK.117|work=All the World's Rotorcraft|accessdate=2007-03-24] Costs were shared equally with MBB developing the rotors, tailboom, flight controls and hydraulic system and Kawasaki developing the landing gear, airframe, main transmission and other minor components.

Each company was to build two prototypes, to be completed by 1979; one for static ground testing and the other for flight testing. Delays at Kawasaki caused only one of the prototypes to be completed on time. However, the Kawasaki prototype first flew only several weeks later than the MBB prototype.

A single BK 117-A3 was leased by the Canadian Forces Air Command for a test program and designated as the CH-143. When the program was over, the aircraft was returned to MBB Canada.cite web|url=http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/helicopters/bk117/index.php?name=CH-143%20BK%20117|title=MBB CH-143 BK 117|accessdate=2007-03-25]

Originally known as the BK 117-C2, the EC 145 combines the original BK 117 design with a much larger cabin, and modern features from the EC 135.

Variants

;BK 117 P-2 :German prototype, first flown 13 June 1979.;BK 117 P-3 :Japanese prototype, first flown 10 August 1979.;BK 117 A :Initial production version.;BK 117 A-1 :Powered by two Lycoming LTS 101-650B-1 engines.;BK 117 A-3 :Introduced in 1985, the A-3 has a larger tail rotor with improved blades, and the take-off weight increased to 3200kg.;BK 117 A-4 :Introduced in 1986, the A-4 has increased transmission limits at take-off power, improved tail rotor head. German aircraft have provision for extra internal fuel, giving enhanced performance.;BK 117 A-3M :Military version introduced in 1988. The A-3M is fitted with taller skids and can carry 11 troops. A Browning 12.7mm automatic machine-gun can be mounted under the fuselage in a Lucas turret with 450 rounds of ammunition and controlled by a helmet-mounted sight. The A-3M also has outrigger pylons can hold up to eight HOT II or TOW antitank missiles or a variety of air-to-air missiles, rocket-pods, or forward-firing cannons. Provisions for a doorway gunner's position with a 12.7mm gun can also be installed.;BK 117 B-1 :Introduced in 1987, the B-1 is fitted with LTS 101-750B-1 engines to provide increased performance, and a 140kg increase in payload.;BK 117 B-1C :UK cerified version with reduced range and endurance.;BK 117 B-2 :;BK 117 C-1 :Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E engines. Later models may be upgrated to Arriel 1E2 engines.;BK 117 C-2/EC 145 :powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines.;NBK 117 :License-built model produced in Indonesia.

Operators

;ARG
* Policia Federal Argentina;AUS
* Adelaide Bank Rescue Helicopter Service
* Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Services, base Maroochydore
* Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
* Western Australia Police
* New South Wales Police Force (Joint operation with New South Wales Fire Brigades);CAN
* Canadian Forces Air Command - A single BK 117-A3 was leased by the CF for a test program and designated as the CH-143. When the program was over, the aircraft was returned to MBB Canada.
* Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society 5 in total.;CHL
*Fuerza Aérea de Chile
*Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil
*Carabineros de Chile;COL
* Colombian National Armada;GER;GRE
* Fire Department ;INA;IRQ;ITA
* Helitalia - seven BK117 C1 and one BK117 C2;JPN;JOR;NZL
* Westpac Air Ambulance Service;PER
* Policia Nacional;ZAF
* South African Air Force;ESP
*Guardia Civil
*Vigilancia Aduanera (Spanish Customs);TWN
*Taiwan Coast Guard
*Sunrise Airline Co. Ltd., [ [http://www.royalpacific-aviation.com/index.html 中興航空股份有限公司 ] ] ;UAE;UK
* Devon and Cornwall Police BK117 C1
* East of England Air Ambulance two BK117 C1s
* Metropolitan Police BK117 (3);USA
* Conemaugh Medstar www.medstarteam.com Hastings PA and Somerset PA two Bk 117's http://www.alecbuck.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=200511262236530
* Hartford Hospital Life Star operates two BK-117s
* Tulsa Life Flight - two BK 117B2s [ [http://www.tulsalifeflight.com./ Tulsa Life Flight] ]
* PHI, Inc.
* Memorial Hermann Life Flight
* Virginia State Police
* Boston MedFlight - two BK-117C1 [ [http://www.bostonmedflight.org./ Boston MedFlight] ]
* University of Cincinnati, OH AirCare - two BK-177's as air ambulances.
* University of Virginia Pegasus, Charlottesville, VA - operates one BK-117 as a backup to its Agusta 109E
* Lifeline Helicopter of Indianapolis, IN - four bk-177's as air ambulances.
* Sentara Nightingale, Norfolk, VA
* Geisinger Health System - One BK-117
* MUSC Meducare (Charleston, SC) - One BK-117's as air ambulances [ [http://www.musc.edu/meducare-air./ Meducare Air] ]
* Lutheran Hospital; Fort Wayne, IN Lutheran Air operates one BK-117 A-4 [ [http://www.lutheranair.com/default.htm Lutheran Air ] ]
* Pitt County Memorial Hospital; Greenville, NC East Care at PCMH operates three BK-117 A-4's

pecifications (BK 117-A1)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop
ref={All the World's Rotorcraft}
crew= Two pilots
capacity= 10 passengers (varies by model)
length main= 9.91 m
length alt= 35 ft 6 in
span main= 11 m
span alt= 36 ft 1 in
height main= 3.83 m
height alt= 12 ft 7 in
area main=
area alt=
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1650 kg
empty weight alt= 3,630 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main= 2850 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 6,270 lb
more general=

engine (prop)= Avco Lycoming LTS 101-650B-1
type of prop= turboshaft
number of props= 2
power main= 410 kW
power alt= 550 shp
power original=

max speed main= 262 km/h
max speed alt= 141 knots, 163 mph
cruise speed main= 250 km/h
cruise speed alt= 135 knots, 154 mph
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 541 km
range alt= 292 nm, 333 mi
ceiling main= 4570 m
ceiling alt = 14,990 ft
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
* Hover ceiling: 2530 m (8,300 ft)
armament=
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* MBB Bo 105
* Eurocopter EC 135
* Eurocopter EC 145
* HAL Dhruv

similar=
* UH-1 Iroquois

lists=

sequence=

see also=
* Helicopter
* Air ambulance

References

External links

* [http://www.eurocopter.com/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=40 Manufacturer's website]
* [http://www.rth.info/typen/typen.php?show=bk117 BK 117 in aeromedical services]