Is it an Airbus? A Kawasaki? Well, it Used to be a Messerschmitt

Another fun reminder that Japanese brands license-build some well-known aircraft came across the presswire recently, showing a Kawasaki BK117 - or, as we’re more familiar with it, the H145 - to the Japanese National Police.

The official notice mentions them as a pair of “H145//BK117 D-3 helicopters”, produced jointly with Airbus Helicopters. The BK117 is a medium, twin-engine helo aimed at the usual roster of rotary-wing missions in the civilian world. Air med, survey, patrol, transport, firefighting, all the classics are on the table with the right collection of aftermarket equipment. The Japanese National Police Agency said they would put their new aircraft into use across such a lineup of missions, thanks to its “excellent maneuverability, high speed, and high visibility.” They’ll use it for law enforcement, accident investigation, and a reliable rescue vector during disasters - the latter particularly important given the seismic activity off their coast.

All in all, Kawasaki has delivered 202 BK117s, while developing a few modifications of their own to suit the local market. The latest version, the D-3, is a fresh face in the company lineup, having been certified in Japan around this time in 2021. The basic BK117 harkens back to its original roots, developed under a joint Kawasaki effort with Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm back when they were still around. That should raise some eyebrows for enthusiasts in the helo industry, since the German brand remains cited as a manufacturer of surprisingly aerobatic helicopters. The BK117’s use of a rigid main rotor apparently keeps the tradition alive, as marketing is happy to brag about its maneuverability. Sure, the Japanese National Police aren’t dodging SAMs along the treetops, but their BK117s can make some pretty steep approaches when the mission calls for it. Kawasaki tends to highlight the overall reliability and maintenance ease that comes with its 5-rotor design on the D-3. The bearingless rotor hub structure also cuts down on vibration to improve flying comfort, or so the brochure says. Kawasaki says they’re working on a folding version of the rotors, too, allowing it to fold them back for improved storage on the ground.

FMI: www.khi.co.jp