Kawasaki Receives First Order for New BK117 Firefighting and Disaster Relief Helicopter from Saga Prefecture

Tokyo, November 28, 2018 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today the receipt of an order for its leading-edge H145//BK117 D-2 helicopter (D-2) by Saga Prefecture. This is the first time Kawasaki has received a D-2 order for firefighting and disaster relief applications, and the first such application of a helicopter by Saga Prefecture.

The D-2 was developed jointly with European company Airbus SE and represents the latest model in the BK117 line. This new model retains the features offered by the previous BK117 C-2 that earned it high marks, such as the wide clamshell doors at the rear which enable easy loading and unloading of stretchers and so forth, and a design that is compact overall while offering a spacious interior cabin to facilitate medical procedures. The D-2 also offers some novel features, including a new computer-controlled engine, cutting-edge integrated instruments and a new ducted-fan design for the tail rotor, which boost high-altitude performance, reduce pilot workload and enable the quietest operation in this helicopter's class.

The BK117 is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter used for various purposes including emergency medical services, firefighting, disaster relief, law enforcement, broadcasting, and personnel and cargo transport. Following delivery of the first model in 1983, this domestically produced helicopter has been continually improved over the years, and thanks to the aircraft's outstanding technological strengths and high reliability, Kawasaki has successfully delivered 178 units as of November 22, 2018. Until today, a total of more than 1,500 BK117/EC145 helicopters have been delivered worldwide, combining deliveries made by Airbus, Kawasaki's development and manufacturing partner.

Moving forward, Kawasaki will actively pursue sales of the D-2 based on its outstanding technical strengths and high reliability as well as the thoroughgoing support framework only possible with domestically produced products.