The U.S. Army National Guard has taken delivery of the
first UH-72B, the latest variant of its Lakota helicopter, from
Airbus’ production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
The
delivery is the first of 18 UH-72B Lakota helicopters currently on
order to support the National Guard’s critical missions.
“With the addition of the UH-72B Lakota to our
fleet, the U.S. Army increases our capability to save lives,
protect communities, and provide disaster relief when it’s needed
most,” said Col. Calvin Lane, U.S. Army Project Manager for
Utility Helicopters. “The Lakota helicopter has been a staple of
the Army for more than 15 years now, and we look forward to
benefitting from the latest technologies and performances that the
newest 72B variant will provide, at no additional research &
development costs for the army.”
Based on the H145, the UH-72B
incorporates technologies that increase both safety and flight
performance, including the five-bladed main rotor, the Fenestron
shrouded tail rotor, Safran Arriel 2E engines, and the
Airbus-designed Helionix avionics suite which
includes an advanced dual-duplex, four-axis autopilot to provide
flight envelope and over-limit protection, automated takeoff, and
fully-coupled approaches to hover.
“Our teams in Mississippi, many of whom are U.S.
Army and National Guard veterans themselves, are proud to build
and deliver the first of this newest Lakota variant in support of
the Army’s essential missions protecting and serving our country,”
said Scott Tumpak, vice president responsible for Airbus military
helicopter programs in the U.S. “We thank the Army for the trust
they’ve placed in Airbus for more than 15 years and counting, as
we continue to build on the Lakota legacy for the women and men in
uniform that depend on it.”
There are nearly 10 different configurations of
the Lakota available.
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