Rather than pursuing an entirely clean sheet design, the forward cockpit and modern avionics of Eurocopter's EC 135 were adopted in combination with the proven BK 117's rear section; Flight International described the new helicopter, originally designed as BK 117 C2, as being "90% a combination of these two aircraft ".
En vez de iniciar un deseño completamente novo, adoptouse a cabina de mando e a moderna aviónica do Eurocopter EC135combinados coa sección traseira do BK 117; Flight International describiu o novo helicóptero, orixinalmente designado BK 117 C2, como nun "90% unha combinación deses dous aparellos".