| MBB/Kawasaki BK117 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Australian police BK117. | |
| Role | Lightweight helicopter |
| National origin | Germany & Japan |
| Manufacturer | MBB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| First flight | 1979 |
| Introduction | 1982 |
| Status | Active |
| Produced | Production stopped in 2004. |
| Number built | 443 |
The MBB/Kawasaki BK117 is a twin-engine, lightweight helicopter designed and built in Germany and Japan. It has both civilian and military uses. To 1992 it was built by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Later, it was built by Eurocopter and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Some were built under licence in Indonesia as NBK117. Eurocopter EC145 is a newer type of BK117, but without a Japanese partner.
Bibliography
[change | change source]- Jackson, Robert, Helicopters: Military, Civilian, and Rescue Rotorcraft (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books Ltd, 2005. ISBN 1-84013-812-2.
- Gaillard, Pierre, Avions et hélicoptères militaires d'aujourd'hui Paris, France : Larivière éditions, 1999. ISBN 2-907051-24-5.
- Frawley, Gerard, The international directory of military aircraft 2002/2003 . London: Aerospace Publication, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
