EADS Begins Deliveries of Lakota Helicopters

EADS North America has achieved another significant milestone on the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program with the delivery of Lakotas to the National Guard outfitted with the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP). The UH-72A Lakota, built in Mississippi by the company’s American Eurocopter business unit, is one of the U.S. Army’s most successful acquisition programs and is repeatedly noted by DoD officials for its on-time and on-budget deliveries. “This highly capable configuration is the latest and most significant evolution of the Lakota and the missions it is asked to perform,” said Sean O’Keefe, CEO of EADS North America. “These S&S Battalion Lakotas provide our Army National Guard units with the ability to effectively respond at a moment’s notice to a wide range of operational assignments including natural disasters, search and rescue operations, border protection missions and law enforcement support.” Lakotas equipped with the S&S Battalion MEP will be operated by Army National Guard units across the country. The S&S Battalion MEP will greatly expand the capabilities of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters and further demonstrates the platform’s flexibility for growth and mission-specific configurations. Currently 68 of the 99 anticipated S&S Battalion MEP installations are on contract. Of the 68 on contract, 52 Lakotas will be built with the S&S Battalion MEP integrated during production, and 16 Lakotas already in service with the Army National Guard will be retrofitted at the company’s American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss. The S&S Mission Equipment Package contains a centerline electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensor, a 30 million candle power search light, analog/digital video downlink, rear observers’ 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.