MH2000

The Mitsubishi MH 2000 is a 7/12 seat light utility helicopter. The MH2000 was Japan's first indigenous helicopter, and was primarily developed and produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which held sole responsibility for developing and manufacturing both the fuselage and engines. The program was launched in 1995 to fulfill a variety of missions, include passenger and business transport, law enforcement, search and rescue and emergency medical services. The first of four developmental rotorcraft first flew on 29 July 1996, the second flying later that year and the remaining two used for ground testing. The MH2000 had its engine module and dynamic system positioned behind the cabin section to minimize sound levels in the passenger compartment. Power was provided by a pair of Mitsubishi MG5-100 turboshaft engines. The first production model was delivered on 1 October 2000 to Excel air service in Japan. Following the loss of one prototype due to tail rotor blade separation, the MH2000's type certificate was suspended and a redesign of the tail rotor was undertaken. Delivered rotorcraft were retrofitted with the new rotor while it was intended for all future MH2000s to be delivered with this new tail rotor. In response to a persistent low level of interest in the type, Mitsubishi ultimately decided to halt marketing and production of the MH2000 in September 2004.

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.