Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has received an order for a single BK117 D3 helicopter from Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting.
The rotorcraft, better known as the Airbus Helicopters H145, will be used for press and broadcasting use, says KHI. It is the third BK117 D3 in Japan to be used for that purpose, the company adds.
”With superior mobility and hovering capability at high altitudes, the BK117 series can be used for broadcasting to quickly head to the scene of an incident or disaster and report the changing situation of the scene,” states Kawasaki. The new helicopter is likely to be based in Japan’s Tohoku region.
The five-bladed H145 has a higher maximum take-off weight than its predecessor D2 variant, but retains features of the older model, including rear clamshell doors and improved high-altitude hovering performance.
