Wed, Jul 22, 2009
First Of Type To Be Based Outside of Continental United
States
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
U.S. 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, MS, that is operated by American Eurocopter,
an EADS North America company.
These rotary-wing aircraft were the 66th and 67th UH-72As
delivered to U.S. 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
Lakota helicopters 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," said EADS North America Chairman and CEO
Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. "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 U.S. 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 U.S. Navy in test pilot training at Patuxent River Naval Air
Station, MD.
Phase-in of 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. In addition to their basing in the
continental United States and Puerto Rico, future overseas
deployments of UH-72As are planned to Europe.
A variant of the UH-72A is being proposed by EADS North America
as a new armed scout helicopter for the U.S. Army -- the Armed
Scout 645.
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