MBB-Kawasaki BK 117

The BK 117 is a Hélicoptère general-purpose twin-engine. It is the result of a joint development of 1979 between MBB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).

History

The goal of the development was to preserve the greatest possible number of the components having proven reliable on his predecessor the Bo 105 all while endeavouring to use more modern technologies and to offer more volume available to the back of the cabin. The lack of space during the missions of rescue was one of the reproaches addressed to the Bo 105.

The contract of co-operation signed by Ludwig Bölkow (MBB) and Teruaki Yamada (KHI) on February 25th, 1977 provided that MBB would provide the new principal rotor and its elements of order and that KHI would develop the cell and the principal Gear-box. The P2 prototype made its first flight the June 13rd 1979 with Ottobrunn.

Division helicopters of MBB (today EADS) amalgamated in 1992 with division helicopters of the Aérospatiale to form Eurocopter. BK 117 (alternative BK 117-C2) was then renamed EC. 145 per preoccupation with a homogeneity of the product range.

EC. 145 is proposed in various versions: (medical evacuation/Hospital stealing /transport of passagers/VIP etc) and can be equipped with a winch. It is very well adapted for the missions of help, in particular in mountain. Several automobile clubs and organizations of help have an important fleet of it.

Models

The old versions BK 117-A and BK 117-B1 were characterized only by their turbines from different marks but from equal power. The B2 type has more powerful turbines of Avco Lycoming and offers a maximum mass to takeoff increased by 150 kg. BK 117-C1 is equipped with two turbines of Turboméca, has a rotor postpones improved, a modernized power control and can thus reach better performances in altitude.

About the middle of the years 1990, the series BK 117 undergoes a handing-over with the standard which gave rise to BK 117-C2 renamed and marketed since EC. 145 . In truth, it is about a complete recasting. The new helicopter which made its first flight the June 12th 1999 is the result of a crossing between a EC. 135 and a BK 117. There has the cockpit characteristic of EC. 135, a cabin lengthened compared to the preceding model but remains equipped with a anti-torque Rotor conventional like BK 117-C1.

The principal Rotor was completely reconçu but is not entirely deprived of articulations (see also Hélicoptère) as on EC. 135.

Civil versions/parapublic

(see external bonds, official site of Eurocopter)

Military versions

US Army selected in 2006 UH-145 , version military of the EC-145 of Eurocopter, for its requirements in the light utility helicopters. UH-72A Lakota will be primarily implemented by the National guard of the United States for the missions intended to guarantee the safety of the territory ( Homeland Security ). It had been selected within the framework of the invitation to tender of US Army for its program of light helicopter Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) . It is manufactured by American Eurocopter with Columbus in the the Mississippi. The total order relates to 322 apparatuses. The first two apparatuses were delivered in December 2006. The last will be it in 2010.

Users

Television

The televised series austro-allemande Medicopter 117 presented the adventures of a team of rescue achieving a series of rescue operations risked on board a BK-117, registered D-HECE . The series of 81 episodes was diffused with the antenna of RTL in Germany and ORF in Austria, of 1998 with 2004.

Accidents

- On July 20th, 2003, a BK 117 C2 (F-ZBPC) of the Civil security is crushed near the Peak of Arbizon in the Pyrenees (65) after having helped a hiker blocked in a wall, making a death (a first-aid worker) and five wounded including two low registers. Probable reason: turbulences around the tops, the helicopters of the Tour de France which passes in the vicinity are blocked on the ground, the gusts being too strong. (see bond)

Data sheet of BK 117-B2

  • Motorization: 2 X AVCO Lycoming LTS 101-750 B-1 of 700 CV each one (power on the tree)

  • maximum Speed: 278 km/h
  • Cruising speed: 250 km/h
  • maximum Passable distance: 550 km except reserve
  • Masses:
    • maximum Mass: 3.350 kg
    • Empty weight: 1.723 kg
    • Payload: 1.670 kg
  • Obstruction:
    • Overall length: 13,00 m
    • Length cell: 9,90 m
    • overall Hautreur: 3,36 m
    • Diameter of the principal rotor: 11,00 m

Data sheet of EC. 145 (BK 117-C2)

  • Motorization: 2 X Turboméca Ariel 1E2 of 692 cv each one (power on the tree)
  • maximum Speed: 254 km/h
  • Cruising speed: 241 km/h
  • maximum Passable distance: 700 km except reserve
  • Masses:
    • maximum Mass: 3.585 kg
    • Empty weight: 1.804 kg
    • Payload: 1.770 kg
  • Obstruction:

    • Diameter of the principal rotor: 16,00

See also the List of the helicopters

Bonds

  • Eurocopter
  • EC. 145 data, photographs and vidéos
  • BK 117 on mission of rescue (gallery photographs)
  • Article on the accident which has occurred in the Pyrenees the 7/20/03

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