The U.S. Army has become Eurocopter’s newest military operator, receiving its first of more than 300 UH-72A Light Utility Helicopters for use in American homeland security, transportation and support missions.

Introduction of UH-72As by the U.S. Army – the world’s largest user of rotary-wing aircraft – marks an important defense market breakthrough for Eurocopter, and is a key endorsement of the twin-engine EC145, on which the Light Utility Helicopter is based.
The no. 1 UH-72A was delivered last December during an event at American Eurocopter’s Columbus, Mississippi facility, which included the formal signing of the aircraft’s government handover documentation, as well as a ceremony that continued a decades-long tradition of naming U.S. Army helicopters after Native American Indian tribes.
Its designation as the UH-72A Lakota honours a tribe of the Great Sioux Nation that is known both for its capabilities as warriors and its will to survive in a changing world.

For Homeland Security Missions
“The UH-72A is going to provide some great capabilities across the United States, and this is a tremendous way to turbocharge the modernization of the Army National Guard’s aviation fleet,” said General Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.
“To those who have built it, I know that you have put your hearts and talents into every one of this quality helicopter’s components, and you can be sure our aviators will fly it with confidence because you have staked your reputation on it.”

UH-72As will be operated primarily within the United States for homeland security operations, medical evacuation, passenger/ logistics transportation and drug interdiction missions.
Many of these twin-engine helicopters will be assigned to Army National Guard units at locations throughout the country – allowing ordergeneration helicopters to be retired, and freeing up larger rotary-wing aircraft for assignment to other duties.
The UH-72A is an extremely modern helicopter that already has received high marks from the first crews operating the aircraft. Its operational advantages include the combination of a large cabin and a small overall profile – with the ability to manoeuvre in close while producing less rotor wash than larger helicopters. Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn, the Army National Guard’s Director, said “The Lakota responds to the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and our other operational experience. With this helicopter, we have twin-engine safety, a tremendous rotor system for stability and response, plus the ability to hoist from both sides of the cabin. Army National Guard units are going to be very excited about the capability they’re getting with this aircraft.”

42 UH-72A on Order
Formal delivery of the no. 1 UH-72A Lakota last December 11 occurred three months ahead of schedule, and marked the startup of a $2 billion contract for 322 Light Utility Helicopters.
To date, the Army has ordered a total of 42 UH-72As, along with the associated training services for pilots and maintenance personnel.
The Army’s Light Utility Helicopter contract expands Eurocopter’s 20-year heritage as a supplier to U.S. homeland security and law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, and numerous state and local law enforcement organisations across the country.