The first two EADS North America-built UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters to be based outside of the continental United States have been delivered to the Army for operations in Puerto Rico.
The UH-72A is a derivative of Eurocopter’s proven EC145 multi-role helicopter, and is produced at a state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Miss., that is operated by American Eurocopter, an EADS North America company.
The rotary-wing aircraft were the 66th and 67th UH-72As delivered to Army and Army National Guard units by EADS North America, and they continued the company’s track record of on-time deliveries for the service’s new light utility helicopter.
Both Lakotas are now located at San Juan’s Isla Grande Airport, and are operated by Detachment B/1-114AV of the Puerto Rico National Guard. They are equipped for general aviation support missions.
“These latest deliveries expand the UH-72A’s area of operations and underscore the Lakota’s ability to serve in a full range of climates and conditions,” EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph Crosby. “With an operational availability rate higher than 90 percent, the UH-72A continues to demonstrate its mission readiness in support of our warfighters and for America’s homeland security.”
To date, 128 UH-72As have been ordered from EADS North America for Army and National Guard service, with plans to acquire a total of 345 of the twin-engine helicopters through 2016.
Five aircraft in the H-72A configuration also are on contract for use by the Navy in test pilot training at Patuxent River NAS, Md.
Phasing in the UH-72A fleet is enabling the National Guard to retire its aging OH-58 and UH-1 rotary-wing aircraft, while Lakota deliveries to the active component of the Army free up UH-60 Black Hawks for combat missions.
A variant of the UH-72A is being proposed by EADS North America as a new armed scout helicopter solution for the Army: the Armed Scout 645.