The US Army has awarded Airbus Helicopters a $115.4 million contract covering the procurement of up to 12 UH-72B Lakota light utility helicopters. The agreement also includes jettisonable cockpit doors, air-conditioning systems, engine inlet barrier filters and program management support. With the latest award, the contract’s cumulative value has reached approximately $140.71 million.Work will be carried out at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, with completion scheduled for the end of December 2030. The UH-72 Lakota was developed as a light utility helicopter for domestic missions and was selected by the US Army in 2006 under its Light Utility Helicopter program.Based on the Eurocopter EC145, the Lakota was introduced to replace older UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58A/C Kiowa helicopters in selected roles. The aircraft is primarily operated by the US Army and Army National Guard. Airbus has delivered hundreds of UH-72A helicopters to US military customers.The upgraded UH-72B was unveiled in 2020, with the first aircraft delivered to the Army National Guard in 2021. Compared with the earlier model, the UH-72B incorporates a five-blade main rotor, a Fenestron-shrouded tail rotor, more powerful Safran Arriel 2E engines and Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite.The twin-engine helicopter can reach a maximum speed of approximately 145 knots and has a range of around 370 nautical miles. It can carry up to nine personnel or approximately 3,953 pounds of payload and operate at altitudes approaching 18,000 feet.Airbus is also exploring an unmanned version of the Lakota for the US Marine Corps. The company conducted an initial flight test of the prototype in October 2024, supporting efforts to develop autonomous aerial logistics capabilities.
