MBB/Kawasaki BK 117

Germany Germany Japan Japan

• Messerschmitt -Bolkow -Blohm
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Airbus Helicopters

The BK 117 is a light twin-engine multi-purpose helicopter, which was created in 1979 in a co-production of the German company Messerschmitt -Bolkow -Blohm (MBB ) and the Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industries ( KHI). Its successor, the enlarged and modernized version of BK 117C - 2, called Eurocopter EC 145, had its first flight in 2000. Today, the manufacturer operates under the name of Airbus Helicopters. All versions were also built in Japan, the BK 117C - 2, there is also in production.

History

Goal in the development of the helicopter was 105 more to use as many proven components of the previous model Bölkow Bo, but still keep track of the state of the art and to provide more interior space. Especially in the rescue operation, the restricted space in the Bo had 105 proved to be a hindrance at times. The cooperation agreement between MBB and KHI was signed by Dr. Ludwig Bölkow and Teruaki Yamada on February 25, 1977. He foresaw that MBB should develop the new main rotor, including the associated control components and KHI the cell and the main gear. The development costs of an estimated 100 million U.S. dollars were divided equally. On 13 June 1979, the first flight of the prototype P2 of the BK 117 was held in Ottobrunn.

MBB was later as part of Daimler -Benz Aerospace ( DASA) together with the French Aérospatiale in the new company Eurocopter, part of their program of BK 117 until today - now in its designated as EC 145 variant BK 117- C2.

The BK 117 is mainly used for tasks relating to air ambulance and critical care transport or as a police helicopter. This requires equipment packages from the manufacturer or third-party equipment providers, such as a winch available. This enables the helicopter and SAR service in difficult terrain. In Germany, therefore, the air rescue of the ADAC and the DRF Air Rescue have the largest contingents, in Spain the Guardia Civil; in France, the Gendarmerie is equipped among other things with the EC 145.

Large became famous for the BK 117 in German-speaking by the TV action series Medicopter 117

In some States was or is she still in military use, for example in Iraq and South Africa or the United States (see UH -145 ).

In April 2013 Eurocopter demonstrated with a running as OPTIONALLY Piloted Vehicle EC 145 unmanned flights to the French Air Force base Istres. The flight profile contained automatic takeoffs and landings, flight along a predetermined route and waypoints through the settling of a suspended below the helicopter external load. The helicopter was controlled in this case from a ground station.

Models

The technical data refer to the document TCDS R.010 of the European Aviation Safety Agency.

BK 117- A1, -A3, -A4

The Model BK 117- A with the Lycoming LTS 101- 650B -1 turbine was approved on 9 December 1982 by the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt ( LBA). The version A-3 retained the engine and received on 15 March 1985 and certification to additional specialized tasks and optional equipment. The A- 4 version was approved on 29 July 1986 with the same turbine.

BK 117- B1

The B-1 was approved on 10 December 1987, got the - now Honeywell Lycoming - LTS 101- 750B -1 gas turbine.

BK 117- B2

Approval on 17 January 1992 also driven by the LTS 101- 750B -1 engine; with 598 liters of usable tank capacity.

BK 117- C1

The BK 117 C1 has two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turbines of the type ( 692 WPS), an improved tail rotor and - now defaults to 697.4 liters of usable fuel - more coverage. The helicopter has increased by 150 kg take-off mass, height achieved better performance and was approved on 2 October 1992. In 2002 the production was relocated to the northern Italian Trento, to make room for the new models BK 117C -2 and EC 135 in the German factory. The last helicopter of this series were produced in 2004 and handed over to the NRW police flying. The last delivery of a BK 117C -1 but found place in 2005 and went to a customer in Mexico. Then the new model Eurocopter EC was only 145 (BK 117C -2 ) was built.

EC 145 (BK 117- C2)

From the mid- 1990s an enlarged version of the BK -117 series has been developed, it is 145 ( EC 145 ) and Kawasaki ( KHI) offered by Eurocopter Germany as Eurocopter BK 117C -2. In Germany, on 20 December 2000, the EC received its type certificate 145.

The new model has an extended cab. The basic concept with sliding side doors and split rear door was retained. The look was designed similar to the smaller EC 135 in the front area. In the cockpit can be used as an option a new glass cockpit. Similarly, the exposed tail rotor of the BK 117 C1 was taken. Through a redesign of the main rotor was compared with the BK 117 aircraft performance can be increased. The rotor is not without bearing as with the EC 135, but the helicopter but is significantly cheaper than its sister model, and also quieter than the BK 117C -1. The helicopter is used at home and abroad, often to the police, civil defense and air rescue, where he is often equipped with instruments for IFR. The machine is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turbines with 692 WPS continuous power. Instead of a FADEC comes to drives a VARTOMS (Variable Rotor Speed ​​and Torque Matching System ) is used.

EC 145 T2 ( BK 117- D2)

As of July 2010 flight tests were recorded with a new helicopter at Eurocopter's Donauwörth. At the cell of the EC 145 with serial number 9002, a boom with fenestron tail rotor was grown. Having been in the scene long with the type designation EC 146 (which would run counter to the original naming scheme by Eurocopter ) has been speculated, the helicopter with the new type designation EC was presented 145 T2 at Heli -Expo in Orlando on March 6, 2011. He will receive the new Turbomeca engines Arriel2 family ( Arriel 2E). These are 25 % more powerful and cheaper maintenance than previous engines of the EC 145 to be controlled fully digital FADEC with dual-channel technology, also the transmission were reinforced for the main and tail rotor fenestron. The avionics will also be improved as a four -axis autopilot is installed in series and the modular, extensible display system in the cockpit has three large color display. The development of the EC 145 (BK 117C -2) is approved as BK 117D -2. Through these developments, the payload / payload or the power output increases when flying under hot and high environmental conditions. In addition, the noise emission reduced by the use of the Fenestron. The first delivery of this version was planned for 2013. Now Helicopters Airbus expects certification in the first half of 2014., The first of so far already about 100 orders to be delivered to customers starting in late summer 2014.

Military variants

→ Main article: Eurocopter EC 645

The name for the militarized version of the EC 145 EC 645 reads

Specifications

875 km with auxiliary fuel tank *

258 kg / h at a maximum. performance *

* At 3000 kg take-off weight