Kawasaki Receives Order for BK117C-2 Helicopter

Mar. 07, 2007

Kawasaki Receives Order for BK117C-2 Helicopter

 Tokyo, March 7, 2007 – Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has received an order for its BK117C-2 helicopter from Chunichi Shimbun Co., Ltd. This is the first C-2 model to be used by a media agency. The helicopter is scheduled to be delivered in April 2008.

 The C-2 is the latest model in the BK117 series, featuring pilot-friendly flight instruments including an automatic pilot system and satellite phone as well as a collision avoidance warning system for increased safety. It will replace the Kawasaki BK117C-1 model currently used by Chunichi Shimbun.

 The Kawasaki BK117 helicopter was developed jointly between Kawasaki and European helicopter maker, Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB; presently, Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD)). The BK117 is a medium-sized twin-engine multiple purpose helicopter used for transporting cargo and passengers, fighting fires, as well as police and emergency medical services. The helicopter also boasts superior safety and operability, a compact body and large double doors in its rear for transporting long objects such as stretchers.

 Since its market debut in 1983, the BK117 has been the best selling model in the world. More than 500 units have been delivered worldwide thanks to its superior flight performance coupled with quick and reliable customer services. Due to the superior performance of this latest model, Kawasaki has received orders for a total of 11 C-2 helicopters on top of orders to ECD for another 70.

Features of the C-2 include:
(1)   Enhanced flight performance and transport capability with 30% more cabin room, increases of 7% in maximum gross weight and 30% in flying range over its predecessors.
(2)   A new main rotor blade design to significantly reduce noise and vibration.
(3)   A revamped cockpit for better visibility and an integrated flight instrument system with simpler flight displays to reduce the pilot’s workload.
(4)   Larger windows for enhanced flight comfort.