It was the last biplane bomber design to be produced for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, and it saw combat service in Manchukuo and in North China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

The Ki-3 was a biplane design of all-metal construction with light alloy and fabric covering, staggered wings, and a fixed, divided landing gear.

Awarded the contract to build the Army Type 93 Single-engined Light Bomber, Kawasaki used their experience of the KDA-6 in their design for this new aircraft, which was given the Kitai number Ki-3.

[1] A civilian version of the KDA-6, later designated Kawasaki A-6, was produced as a communications aircraft and was used successfully by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper for printing plate and personnel transport duties.

It subsequently was used in combat in Manchukuo (Manchuria) and in North China during the initial stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, where it could make use of its good maneuverability to support ground troops.