Airbus Secures $27.8 Million U.S. Army Contract to Enhance UH-72A Lakota Capabilities

Airbus Secures $27.8 Million U.S. Army Contract to Enhance UH-72A Lakota Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) Airbus has secured a $27.8 million contract from the U.S. Army to upgrade the Mission Equipment Package (MEP) of the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion. These upgrades will enhance the capabilities of the UH-72A Lakota helicopter, allowing it to perform day and night operations with advanced features like a moving map system, digital interfaces, monitors, and an airborne mission management system. This upgrade aims to make the Lakota a more valuable Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) asset for the National Guard. The UH-72A helicopters equipped with the MEP are designed for various missions, including domestic operations, counter-drug efforts, and border security. The contract involves retrofitting up to 50 aircraft in the U.S. fleet, out of a total of 107. The modifications will take place at Airbus’s Mississippi helicopter production facility, where over 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota helicopters have been delivered to the U.S. Army since 2006. Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, operating under a Special Security Agreement, will manage the contract, providing advanced satellite, communication, rotorcraft, and fixed-wing solutions to meet complex defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements.

(PRESS RELEASE) ARLINGTON, VA, United States, 21-Aug-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Airbus (EPA: AIR), a European multinational aerospace corporation, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a momentous $27.8 million contract by the U.S. Army, signifying another significant stride forward in our dedication to innovation and excellence. This esteemed contract is geared towards enhancing the Mission Equipment Package (MEP) of the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion, thereby fortifying the operational capabilities of the UH-72A Lakota helicopter.

Our cutting-edge upgrades to the MEP signify a groundbreaking transformation for the UH-72A Lakota, empowering it to seamlessly execute day and night operations with unmatched precision. These enhancements comprise an advanced moving map system, intricately refined digital interfaces, state-of-the-art monitors, a dynamic airborne mission management system, and a host of other systemic advancements.

“This award provides pilots with significantly increased functionality and capability to carry out today’s demanding missions, further enhancing the Lakota’s value as an ISR asset for the National Guard.” said Scott Tumpak, Vice President of Military Line of Business for Airbus U.S. Space and Defense.

The MEP-equipped UH-72As are strategically engineered to excel across a spectrum of National Guard missions, spanning domestic operations, counter-drug initiatives, and border security endeavors.

This landmark contract mandates Airbus to undertake the retrofitting of up to 50 Security & Support Battalion helicopters, meticulously positioned in strategic locations throughout the United States. It is noteworthy that the current fleet encompasses a total of 107 UH-72A Lakota helicopters.

Our fervent commitment to excellence is visibly manifested in the modifications, which will be meticulously executed at Airbus’s cutting-edge helicopter production facility situated in Columbus, Mississippi. This facility has been the cradle of innovation since 2006, having successfully delivered over 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota helicopters, all derived from the H145 model, to the U.S. Army.

This contract, a true testament to Airbus’s prowess, will be managed with utmost dedication by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. Operating under the ambit of a Special Security Agreement, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. stands resolute in offering unparalleled solutions encompassing satellite technology, laser communication systems, rotorcraft, and fixed-wing aircraft solutions. These capabilities are strategically designed to cater to the multifaceted demands of the U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence sectors.

Media contacts:

Jonathan Murphy
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.
Phone: +1 703-401-9319
Jonathan.Murphy@Airbusus.com

Kelsey Young
Airbus Helicopters, Inc
Phone: +1 945-201-8363
kelsey.young@airbus.com

SOURCE: AIRBUS