McDONNELL DOUGLAS Helicopter Systems (MDHS) has formally handed over the first Explorer helicopter to go to a non-US customer.
The Explorer is the first of 15 sold to Japan's largest helicopter operating company, Aero Asahi. The remaining 14 machines, designated MDJ Explorers, will be delivered over the next four years.
The Aero Asahi helicopters were sold by MDHS' Japanese distributor, Tomen Aerospace, and will be used for various tasks, ranging from television news gathering to corporate charter.
Deliveries of the Explorer, which is fitted with a no-tail-rotor anti-torque control system, began in December 1994.
Source: Flight International
