UH-72 Lakota

UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine, single-main-rotor light utility helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopters and operated primarily by the United States Army. Derived from the commercial Eurocopter EC145, it was selected in 2006 to replace aging fleets like the UH-1 Iroquois and OH-58 Kiowa for stateside missions. The helicopter performs critical roles including medical evacuation, search and rescue, drug enforcement support, and personnel transport for the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve.

Development and acquisition

The program originated from the United States Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, initiated to replace older aircraft in non-combat roles. In June 2006, the US Department of Defense awarded the contract to American Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters, Inc.) for its Eurocopter UH-145 offering, a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145. This decision followed a competition that included the Bell 412 and was overseen by the Army Aviation and Missile Command. The helicopter was formally designated UH-72A and named "Lakota" in a ceremony at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in December 2006, honoring the Lakota people. Initial deliveries to the Army National Guard began in 2007 from the company's production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.

Design and features

Based on the Eurocopter EC145 (now Airbus H145), the aircraft features a bearingless main rotor system and a shrouded Fenestron tail rotor for reduced noise and enhanced safety. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft engines, providing strong performance in hot and high conditions. The cabin is configured for versatility, easily accommodating two litter patients for medevac, up to eight troops, or law enforcement equipment. Modern avionics include a glass cockpit with integrated GPS and flight management system, largely compliant with IFR standards. For its mission profile, it is typically unarmed, though it can be equipped with public address systems and searchlights.

Operational history

The United States Army introduced the first UH-72As into operational service with the Army National Guard in 2007, initially with 1st Battalion, 114th Aviation Regiment in Mississippi. Its primary duties have involved homeland security, disaster response such as during Hurricane Sandy, support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and training at facilities like the United States Naval Test Pilot School. A significant fleet is dedicated to the MEDEVAC mission across the United States. The helicopter has also been deployed to support Joint Interagency Task Force South in counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In 2023, the Army began retiring some early models as part of its Future Vertical Lift modernization plans.

Variants

* UH-72A Lakota: The standard base model for the United States Army, used for utility and MEDEVAC. * UH-72B Lakota: An upgraded variant featuring the improved Airbus H145 airframe with a new bearingless main rotor and advanced Helionix avionics suite. The Army began receiving this model in 2020. * EU-72A: A proposed electronic warfare training variant for the United States Army, though not procured. * AAS-72X: A proposed armed scout variant for the since-cancelled Armed Aerial Scout program, which would have included weapons and sensors.

Operators

The primary operator is the United States Army, with aircraft assigned to the Army National Guard, United States Army Reserve, and active-duty units like the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel. The United States Navy operates a small number for test pilot training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. The Royal Thai Army has also acquired six UH-72A Lakotas through the United States Foreign Military Sales program.

Specifications (UH-72A)

Category:United States military utility aircraft 2000–2009 Category:Airbus Helicopters aircraft Category:Light helicopters