BJ Habibie Brings The NBO-105 Helicopter To Indonesia

The NBO-105 helicopter introduced by BJ Habibie. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie's return is a defining period in the nation's history. There is a high-ranking Pertamina official, Ibnu Sutowo behind it. The leading engineer was persuaded by Ibnu to develop the world of Indonesian aerospace.

Habibie was challenged. He brought the technological century to the archipelago. Therefore, Indonesia can also assemble Indonesian flavor helicopters, NBO-105. A collaboration with the company in the past, Messerchmidt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB).

The Indonesian government is aggressively sending its people to study abroad. They are required to study with the hope that in the future, the nation's children can build their country. Habibie, one of them. He became one of the Indonesian students sent by Soekarno to study in Germany.

Years passed, Habibie later grew into an aerospace expert in Germany. He settled and worked as Vice President Director of Technology, MMB in Hamburg, Germany. The news of Habibie as the son of the nation shining in the famous German aerospace industry in Indonesia.

The news of Habibie's fame reached the location of Indonesia's number one person at that time, Suharto. The Smile General does not want Habibie's talent to only decorate the world's aerospace industry. Meanwhile, Indonesia, which is a home', does not develop.

Suharto tactics. He asked Pertamina officials, Ibnu Sutowo, to meet Habibie in Germany. Ibnu did the task well. He was able to persuade Habibie to develop the aerospace industry of the archipelago.

Habibie arrived in Jakarta on January 26, 1974. Ibnu also placed Habibie in Pertamina's new division, Advanced Technology and Aeronautical Tectology Division (ATTP). Furthermore, Habibie was asked to head the Nusantara Aircraft Industry (IPTN) which later became known as PT. Dirgantara Indonesia.

I have heard, among others, from Doctor Sanger, about the one named Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. At that time it was mentioned that he worked for Messerchmidt-Borkow-Blohm (MBB) in Hamburg. I heard too, that he wants to contribute his knowledge of technology for Indonesia's development. But, I think, why does he still live in Germany? I've never seen him before. But I've heard of his grandfather, who had lived close to my parents in Ungaran, Central Java."

In December 1973 I went to Germany and met our ambassador at Bonn, Achmad Tirtosudiro. When talking, Ambassador Achmad Tirto mentioned Habibie's name, and explained about his death. In fact, it was told that Habibie had applied, or wanted to apply to work in Indonesia. but who in Indonesia can accommodate people who have worked in MBB with such a large salary? That became the question of Ambassador Achmad Tirto," said Ibnu Sutowo as written by Ramadhan KH in Ibnu Sutowo's book: It's Time for Me to Tell a Story! (2008).

Habibie's career at IPTN is brilliant. He wants IPTN to grow rapidly and become a pioneer in the aerospace industry in Southeast Asia. Nothing is impossible for Habibie. He has knowledge and networks in the world aerospace industry.

Habibie also has the desire that IPTN can assemble the MBB BO-105 helicopter. Habibie has expressed this desire since working at ATTP Pertamina. However, it can only be realized when you become an IPTN official.

Habibie's wish was not without reason. All kinds of MBB BO-105 efficacy made him attracted. The helicopter is predicted to be used for civilians and the military. MBB BO-105 which weighs 1,276 kilograms can fly up to 17 thousand feet at a maximum speed of 242 kilometers per hour.

Another reason for the MBB BO-105 helicopter is the masterpiece made by its website company, MBB and Constructiones Aeron happenedutucas SA (CASA). The cooperation was finally established between the Indonesian government and the MBB in September 1974. The cooperation was aimed at the production and assembly of the MBB BO-105 helicopter.

The MBB BO-105 helicopter was started to be assembled by IPTN. Therefore, the name of the MBB BO-105 added the letter N to identify the Nusantara's taste in the helicopter assembled. people then got to know him as the NBO-105 helicopter.

Instead of only assembling NBO-105 for civilians, Habibie actually made a lot of NBO-105 for military needs. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia (ABRI) and the Police get a share. Police, for example. they got a total of 13 NBO-105 helicopters from 1981 to 1988.

National Police Chief General Moh. Sanoesi on April 8, 1988 received six new NBO-105 helicopters from IPTN, which were handed over by its main director, BJ Habibie in the II IPTN production area. NBO-105 was made by IPTN at the license of MBB, West Germany equipped with a dual turbine of 250 C20b of turbine gas and designed for operations in mountainous and high-temperature areas such as in Indonesia.

Since 1981, the Indonesian police have operated NBO-105 helicopters produced by IPTN. And with this submission, it means that the National Police already has 13 NBO-105 helicopters produced by IPTN," written in the April 1988 edition of ABRI's Mimbar Magazine.