Japan-based rotary operator Central Helicopter Service has taken delivery of its third H145/BK117 D-3 helicopter from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Like the first and second, it is scheduled to be used as an aeromedical helicopter; the first was announced in March 2019 and the second was delivered in January 2023.

The D-3 is an improved version of the former model, the BK117 D-2, a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter. The D-3 inherits the traditional advantages of the BK117 series such as large cabin space with a full flat floor, versatile and large rear clam shell doors, improved high-altitude hovering performance, lower noise and state of the art avionics, while improving performance by the adoption of new features such as the latest five-blade main rotor system.

The useful load weight is increased by approximately 150 kg - MTOW is up by approximately 100kg and the total empty weight has been reduced by approximately 50kg - and the maintenance period is reduced approximately by 50 per cent through a combination of fewer inspection items and intervals, and the adoption of a modern, easy-to-maintain main rotor system.

In addition, the D-3 features lower noise, higher manoeuvrability thanks to its high-performance engine, improved hovering performance at high altitudes and reduced pilot workload thanks to the latest avionics.