The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS) North America said the Army has fielded the 250th UH-72A Lakota helicopter delivered since 2006.
Army Lt. Col. David Cheney, the UH-72A Product Manager, said in a statement: “The UH-72A Lakota helicopter program continues on schedule, within budget and is serving the soldier very well. The success of this aircraft and program is a testament to EADS North America’s team’s determination to provide the best support for the Army and homeland security missions.”
EADS North America Chairman and CEO Sean O’Keefe said: “In today’s budget environment, the Pentagon needs programs that deliver what’s been promised, and we’re proud to have worked with the Army to field this capability unfailingly on schedule and on cost.”
The 250th Army Lakota will be operated from Oklahoma City by the Oklahoma National Guard. It is the latest of 54 Lakotas 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. Army National Guard units across the country 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.
The combined Lakota fleet’s operations have now exceeded 150,000 flight hours, while maintaining greater than 90 percent availability, the company said in a statement. The Lakota is the Army’s newest helicopter, with the lowest cost to fly, own and operate of any U.S. military helicopter in production, the company said.
The Lakota is manufactured at EADS North America’s American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss.
The Lakota fleet has averaged an operational availability rate greater than 90 percent for locations with full contractor logistics support (CLS), encompassing 21 different military units. Spare parts fill rate under the hybrid CLS concept supporting 33 units has averaged 97 percent.