Fri, Jan 13, 2012
EADS Program Remains On Budget And Schedule Entering Its
Seventh Program Year
The U.S. Army has awarded a $212.7 million contract to EADS
North America to deliver 39 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters
(LUH) as part of its total acquisition plan. Thirty-two of these
Lakotas will be produced in the Army's Security and Support
(S&S) Battalion configuration. EADS North America has already
delivered 198 UH-72A Lakotas to the U.S. Army, on time and within
budget, along with five H-72A versions to the U.S. Navy for test
pilot training.
"We're extremely proud of our track record of on time and on
budget deliveries of the UH-72A Lakota to the U.S. Army, Navy and
Army National Guard," said Sean O'Keefe, EADS North America CEO.
"The successful execution of this critical program is a result of
the strong partnership we've built with the Department of Defense
over the past seven years. The S&S Battalion-equipped Lakotas
further demonstrate this modern platform's flexibility for growth
to support an even broader range of demanding missions."
The Lakotas equipped with the S&S Battalion Mission
Equipment Package (MEP) will be operated by Army National Guard
units across the country. The S&S Battalion MEP, integrated by
American Eurocopter, will expand the capabilities of the Army's
UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters, and reflects the
platform's adaptability for an increasing number of missions. The
current total program of record calls for 345 UH-72A Lakotas to be
delivered to the Army and Army National Guard through 2015, along
with five already delivered to the U.S. Navy.
Lakota helicopters in the S&S Battalion configuration enable
Army National Guard units to seamlessly support state and local law
enforcement and federal homeland security agencies in responding to
natural disasters, law enforcement and border security operations.
The UH-72A Lakota is manufactured at EADS North America's American
Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss. The S&S Battalion MEP
was integrated and tested at American Eurocopter's Grand Prairie,
Texas facility.
The S&S MEP contains a centerline electro-optical infrared
(EO/IR) sensor, a 30 million candle power search light,
analog/digital video downlink, rear observer's console with a
15-inch display, an enhanced tactical communications suite, an
onboard digital video recorder, 10.4-inch auxiliary displays for
the pilot and co-pilot, and a video management system.
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