Airbus awarded $27.8 million contract to enhance UH-72A Lakota helicopters for National Guard's various missions.

Airbus has been awarded a $27.8 million contract to upgrade 50 UH-72A Lakotas with advanced avionics, enhancing the Army National Guard's reconnaissance mission capabilities. This significant upgrade will provide the National Guard with increased functionality and the ability to conduct more demanding missions.

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The UH-72A Lakota is a military version of the Eurocopter EC145 helicopter, produced by the American Eurocopter division of EADS North America (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The Lakota is a military version of the twin-engine Eurocopter EC145 helicopter, produced by the American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. This helicopter serves multiple roles, including law enforcement, emergency medical transportation, search and rescue, offshore utility operations, and corporate transport. Lakotas have been employed extensively in responding to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters across the country and abroad in recent years, including most recently to provide support following devastating natural disasters in Haiti.

Selected as the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter, the UH-72 satisfies requirements for speed, range, endurance, and performance. Its versatility stems from adaptable modular utility systems, easily configured for missions like search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), security support, and command and control.

The planned enhancements, as described by Airbus, are tailored to augment the Lakota's potential in daylight and nighttime operations. These improvements encompass an advanced moving map, upgraded digital interfaces, new monitors, an airborne mission management system, and other enhancements. Notably, these upgrades are customized for the National Guard's homeland security-related tasks, spanning counter-drug operations, border security, disaster response, humanitarian aid, VIP transport, and more.

Functioning as a Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), the UH-72A Lakota undertakes general support utility missions in collaboration with Joint Services, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations. Its deployment is exclusive to non-combat, non-hostile environments. Derived from the American Eurocopter U.S.-manufactured EC-145, the UH-72A is designed as a twin-engine, single-main-rotor helicopter. It accommodates two pilots and up to six passengers or two NATO standard litters. Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines and an advanced four-blade rotor system, it offers agility and speed across diverse operating conditions. The LUH can be configured with two NATO standard litters alongside seating for a medical attendant and a crew chief.

Modern communication and navigation avionics equip the UH-72A, featuring a 3-axis autopilot and Instrument Flight Rules capability for single pilots. The cockpit supports night vision devices. Beyond the MEDEVAC setup, the UH-72A is adopted in VIP, ARNG Security & Support (S&S), and Combined Training Center (CTC) roles.

In 2008, the United States Navy Test Pilot School ordered five UH-72A aircraft for experimental pilot training, deployed in FY10. Subsequently, the Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP) and the CTC MEP were integrated into the UH-72A fleet in 2011. The S&S MEP empowers the National Guard for Homeland Security, patrol, and counter-drug tasks. Across the Continental United States, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii, around 100 UH-72A helicopters will be equipped with the MEP. The CTC MEP facilitates Opposing Force and Observer/Controller roles to bolster training at the National Training Center, Joint Readiness Training Center, and the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. Approximately 40 aircraft will be retrofitted with the MEP.