Airbus Defense and Space to deliver 17 UH-72A Lakotas helicopter for United States Army

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Defence & Security News - USA
 
 
Friday, October 24, 2014 03:00 PM
 
Airbus Defense and Space to deliver 17 UH-72A Lakotas helicopter for United States Army.
Airbus Defense and Space has obtained an $82.9 million (about €65.5 million) contract to deliver 17 UH-72A Lakotas to the U.S. Army. The UH-72A Lakota is a military version of the Eurocopter EC145 helicopter.
     
UH-72A serve in U.S. Army and in Army National Guard
     

The UH-72A benefits from demonstrated performance in roles that range from law enforcement and emergency medical transportation to search and rescue (SAR), offshore utility operations and corporate transport. The UH-72A Lakota is the U.S. Army’s choice for its new Light Utility Helicopter.

The Lakota entered service in June 2007. Full-rate production was authorised in August 2007. The US Army's requirement is for a total of 322 helicopters with a potential value of $2bn (€1.5bn). In December 2008, the US Army ordered a further 39 Lakotas, extending production to the end of 2010. Five more were ordered in January 2009, bringing the total confirmed order for the army to 128. The 50th and 51st UH-72 were delivered in December 2008. In March 2012, the US Army receives the 200th UH-72A Lakota helicopter. On May 14, 2014, Airbus Group delivered to the Army the service's 300th UH-72A Lakota helicopter.

After award of this new demand, the total cumulative value for the UH-72A contract will be $2,660,632,872 (about €2.1 billion)

UH-72A replaces the UH-1 and OH-58 in service in the U.S. Army and in the Army National Guard.