Development
The BK117 was a joint development between MBB and Kawasaki based on an agreement made on 25 February 1977. The agreement would replace two separate projects for twin-engined general purpose helicopters; the Bo 107 by MBB and the KH-7 from Kawasaki. Costs were shared equally, with MBB developing the rotors (based on the rigid rotor system used on MBB's Bo 105), tailboom, flight controls and hydraulic system and Kawasaki developing the landing gear, airframe, main transmission and other minor components. Each company would have its own assembly line producing aircraft for local markets.
Each company was to build two prototypes (although Kawasaki only built one) to be completed by 1979; one for flight testing and the others for tie down testing and static testing. MBB's flying prototype made its first flight at Ottobrunn on 13 June 1979, followed by the Kawasaki prototype at Gifu on 10 August 1979. Development was slower than expected, a problem made worse by shortages of skilled manpower available at MBB. Although it was originally planned for airworthiness certification to be achieved before the end of 1980, German certification was not achieved until 9 December 1982, with Japanese certification following on 17 December, and the all-important United States FAA certification being obtained on 29 March 1983.
A single BK117 A-3 (c/n 7106) 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.
In total, 444 BK117s were made; 329 (and two prototypes) by MBB at Donauworth, 111 (and one prototype) by Kawasaki in Japan.
Japanese Production:
BK117 A-1 to C-1: c/n 1001-1112 = 111 + P-3/P-5 Prototype
German Production:
BK117 A-1 to B-2: c/n 7001-7275 = 274
BK117 C-1: c/n 7500-7555 = 56
+ P-2 Prototype + S-01 Pre-production Prototype
NOTE: The last variant of the BK117 was the C-1. The BK117 C-2 is actually the brand name for the EC 145 for the Australasian market, and as such is an EC 145, not a BK117.
Read more about this topic: MBB/Kawasaki BK 117
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