MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 - Variants

Variants

BK117 P-2 (D-HBKA)

German prototype, first flown 13 June 1979. Now exhibited at the Bückeburg helicopter museum, Bückeburg, Germany.

BK117 P-3/P-5 (JQ0003)

Japanese prototype, first flown 10 August 1979. Now exhibited at Kakamigahara Aerospace Museum Kakamigahara/Gifu, Japan

BK117 S-01 (D-HDRF)

Initial pre-production version. Now preserved on top of the DRF-Headquarters at Stuttgart Airport.

BK117 A-1

Powered by two Lycoming LTS 101-650B-1 engines. First flown 23 April 1982.

BK117 A-3

Introduced in March 1985, the A-3 has a larger tail rotor with improved blades, Yaw CSAS, improved stability (SPAS) and the take-off weight increased to 3,200 kg (7,055 lb).

BK117 A-4

Introduced in July 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.

BK117 A-3M

Military version introduced in 1986. The A-3M is fitted with taller skids and can carry 11 troops. A Browning 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine gun can be mounted under the fuselage in a Lucas turret with 450 rounds and controlled by a helmet-mounted sight. The A-3M also has outrigger pylons which 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 12.7 mm (0.5 in) gun can also be installed.

BK117 B-1

Introduced in December 1987, the B-1 is fitted with LTS 101-750B-1 engines to provide increased performance, and a 140 kg (309 lb) increase in payload.

BK117 B-1C

UK-certified version with reduced range and endurance.

BK117 B-2

Maximum Gross Weight increased to 3,350 KGs, 2 x Allied Signal Lycoming LTS101-750B-1 engines fitted as standard, new tail rotor blades, improved “hot and high” performance, take-off/landing limitation increased to 15,000 ft, improved flight performance for: HIGE/HOGE, single engine service ceiling.

BK117 C-1

Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E engines. Later models may be upgraded to Arriel 1E2 engines.

NBK117

License-built model produced in Indonesia.

BK117-850D2

Introduced in 2010, the 850D2 variant is an STC (Supplementary Type Certificate) development (i.e., re-engined) of BK117 B-2 incorporating Honeywell LTS 101-850B-2 engines aimed at improving OEI and Category A performance. Development and certification was conducted in New Zealand by Airwork of Ardmore, NZ, in conjunction with Flight Structures Ltd and Honeywell.