UH-72A Lakota LUH Eurocopter's American subsidiary EADS North America has delivered its 250th UH-72A Lakota light utility...
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| UH-72A Lakota LUH |
Eurocopter's American subsidiary EADS North America has delivered its 250th UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter(LUH) to US Army and National Guard units since 2006.
The Lakota is manufactured at EADS North America's new assembly and production facility at Columbus, Mississippi.
U.S. Army's rotary-wing inventory operates Lakota for homeland security operations, medical evacuation, passenger/logistics transportation and drug interdiction missions.
The 250th Army Lakota will be operated out of Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma National Guard. It is the latest of 54 Lakota's delivered with the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion mission equipment package, which expands the Lakota's capabilities for missions ranging from disaster response to border security operations.
The S&S configuration includes a moving map, EO/IR sensor, digital video recording capability, digital and analog downlink, and a searchlight.
US Army National Guard units currently operate Lakotas equipped with the S&S Battalion MEP, including extensive operations along the U.S. southwest border for border security and drug interdiction.
A combination of full contractor logistics support (CLS) for the active Army and hybrid CLS for the Army National Guard enables the units to operate the Lakota in accordance with their flying hour plan. The Army program office, military units, and the industry team of EADS North America, American Eurocopter and Helicopter Support International has provided tailored program logistics to the Army and Army National Guard since 2006.
Every Lakota including an additional five produced for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School has been delivered on time and on budget.
The Lakota is a version of the technologically-advanced and operationally-proven EC145 multi-mission helicopter, which is used worldwide for law enforcement, emergency medical transportation, search and rescue, offshore and utility operations, and corporate transportation.
The Lakota's redundant hydraulic, electrical, and engine control systems – combined with its crashworthy airframe and energy-attenuating pilot and passenger seats – add a high level of flight safety and survivability to the type’s exceptional flight characteristics. Power from the aircraft’s reliable Arriel turboshafts is delivered through a proven hingeless rotor system to the UH-72A’s advanced technology composite rotor blades. Coupled with advanced blade design, this decreases vibration and noise, while enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and mission performance.
The UH-72A's unobstructed main cabin is easily re-configurable to maximize mission flexibility. The helicopter's sliding side and rear clamshell doors optimize access and effective space utilization, offering rapid troop deployment and substantial mission growth potential.
Lakota can carry up to nine troops on crashworthy seats, while two stretchers can be installed for MEDEVAC missions.
The UH-72A is a Defense Acquisition Category (ACAT) I major defense acquisition program, and was one of the most rapid introductions of a new aircraft in the U.S. Army's history. Deliveries of the aircraft to National Guard units allow aging OH-58 and UH-1 rotary-wing aircraft to be retired, while UH-72As assigned to the active component of the U.S. Army free up UH-60 Black Hawks for assignment to combat missions.
Following its competitive selection in mid-2006, deliveries of the UH-72A commenced in December of the same year, three months ahead of schedule.
U.S. Army program requirements total up to 345 UH-72As, with a potential life-cycle value of over $2 billion.
The Lakota fleet has averaged an operational availability rate greater than 90 percent for locations with full contractor logistics support, encompassing 21 different military units. Spare parts fill rate under the hybrid CLS concept supporting 33 units has averaged 97 percent.
