Airbus Helicopters has secured a $273m contract to supply 35 additional UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters to the US Army.
Under the deal, the company will be responsible for providing the UH-72A production aircraft, associated technical and flight operator manuals, and programme management.
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Of the 35 UH-72A Lakota helicopters, 17 will be delivered for the Initial Entry Rotary Wing mission at Fort Rucker, Alabama, US. The remaining 18 will be provided for the Observer / Controller mission at the US Army’s combat training centres.
Airbus Helicopters president and CEO and North American Region head Chris Emerson said: “We are proud that the US Army has continued to rely on us to provide this versatile capability for its aviation fleet.
“We have an unbroken record of on-cost and high-quality programme excellence and support for this aircraft.”
The UH-72A Lakota is a twin-engine light utility helicopter that can be deployed to carry out a range of military operations, such as border patrol, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), troop and VIP transport, light cargo and homeland security.
Developed in multiple configurations, the helicopter is equipped with a modern digital glass cockpit, flight controls, and advanced navigation systems.
The aircraft is a major component of the US Army’s Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI) and the primary rotary-wing trainer for the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
The UH-72A aircraft is constructed at the Airbus Helicopters facility in Columbus, Mississippi, US.
In October last year, the company delivered the 400th UH-72A Lakota helicopter to the US Army.
