https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_UH-72_Lakota
The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter
with a single, four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the
Eurocopter EC145 and was built by American Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters,
Inc.), a division of Airbus Group, Inc. Initially marketed as the UH-145, the
helicopter was selected as the winner of the United States Army's Light Utility
Helicopter (LUH) program on 30 June 2006. In October 2006, American Eurocopter
was awarded a production contract for 345 aircraft to replace aging UH-1H/V and
OH-58A/C helicopters in the US Army and Army National Guard fleets.
On 23 August 2007, the UH-72A received full-rate production (FRP) approval to
produce an initially-planned fleet of 345 aircraft through 2017. The UH-72A is
produced at Airbus Helicopters's facility in Columbus, Mississippi; production
transitioned from local assembly of kits received from Eurocopter Deutschland to
full local production in 2009. In December 2009, the service ordered 45 more
UH-72As. The 100th Lakota was delivered in March 2010, and the 250th UH-72 was
delivered in April 2013. That month, the U.S. Army opted to halt procurement
after 2014 due to budget cuts; at that point, a total of 312 Lakotas were on
order by the service. In January 2014, Congress gave the Army $171 million to
procure 20 additional UH-72As. The 300th UH-72 was delivered to the Army in May
2014.
In May 2013, Congress questioned why the UH-72 had not been considered for the
armed scout role. The Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno stated that the
UH-72A was developed for domestic operations and is not considered to be
operationally deployable to combat zones. The UH-72 is employed by the US Army
National Guard in a utility role in the US, releasing UH-60 Black Hawk
helicopters to deploy overseas. On 21 June 2013, Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall stated in a letter to
Congress that UH-72 combat modifications were "presently unaffordable".
Fleet-wide combat modifications would reportedly cost $780 million and add 774
lb (351 kg) of weight per helicopter; changes would include passive and active
survivability systems, hardened engines and drive train, external lighting and
communications upgrade.
Role
Light utility military helicopter
National origin
Multinational
Manufacturer
Eurocopter
Airbus Helicopters
Built by
American Eurocopter
Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
First flight
2006
Introduction
2007
Status
In service
Primary users
United States Army
United States Navy
Produced
Number built
400
Unit cost
US$5.9 million (flyaway cost, FY2012)
Developed from
Eurocopter EC145
The first production helicopters were sent to the National Training Center
(NTC), Fort Irwin, California for medical evacuation missions in January 2007.
On 20 June 2007, the NTC's US Army Air Ambulance Detachment (USAAAD) became the
first operational unit to field the Lakota. On 10 July 2007, the Training and
Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Flight Detachment at Fort Eustis, Virginia became the
second US Army unit fielded with the UH-72A.
A report published in August 2007 by the Operational Test and Evaluation
Directorate (DOT&E) noted that although the Lakota "...is effective in the
performance of light utility missions," it was prone to overheating during
operations in the desert conditions of Fort Irwin when not equipped with air
conditioning systems. In response, vents were added in the doors to increase
cabin air flow; air conditioning has been installed on some Medical and VIP
versions, as well as added air conditioning units for crew comfort.
On 25 March 2015, Airbus completed assembly of the first UH-72A made
specifically for training for the US Army. The training configuration of the
Lakota differs from the baseline model in several ways, including an observer
seat for the instructor, a "buzz number" on its side for easy identification,
and a flight control system that allows it to communicate with Fort Rucker. As
part of the Army's aviation restructure initiative, Fort Rucker's fleet of TH-67
training helicopters will be replaced with 187 UH-72s, comprising 106
purpose-built trainers and 81 existing versions that will be modified.
Specifications (UH-72A)
General characteristics
Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
Capacity: 9 troops or 2 stretchers and medical crew
Length: 42 ft 7 in (13.03 m)
Rotor diameter: 36 ft 1 in (11.0 m)
Height: 11 ft 9 in (3.45 m)
Disc area: 1,023 ft2 (94.98 m2)
Empty weight: 3,951 lb (1,792 kg)
Useful load: 3,953 lb (1,793 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,903 lb (3,585 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 145 knots (167 mph, 269 km/h)
Cruise speed: 133 knots (153 mph, 246 km/h)
Range: 370 nmi (426 mi, 685 km)
Service ceiling: 13,181 ft (4,018 m)
Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.13 m/s)
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