Eurocopter EC145
Eurocopter UH-72A Lakota
2007 · Twin-engine intermediate turbine helicopter
EADS North America (American Eurocopter) was selected as the winner of the Light Utility Helicopter competition in 2006 for a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS)/Non-Developmental Item (NDI) aircraft to replace the aging UH-1H/V and OH-58A/C fleet in the Army and Army National Guard Homeland units. Lakotas are built at the American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
From 2009 the Lakota is also the prime training aircraft at the US Navy Test Pilot School (NTPS) helicopter course
The AAS-72X was the proposed contender for the US Army Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) competition.
In 2014, Eurocopter rebranded Airbus Helicopters.
As of 2020, the Lakota fleet accumulated 800,000 flight hours.
After completing 463 UH-72A, the Eurocopter/Airbus Missouri production line will change to the UH-72B based on the Airbus H145
From 2009 the Lakota is also the prime training aircraft at the US Navy Test Pilot School (NTPS) helicopter course
The AAS-72X was the proposed contender for the US Army Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) competition.
In 2014, Eurocopter rebranded Airbus Helicopters.
As of 2020, the Lakota fleet accumulated 800,000 flight hours.
After completing 463 UH-72A, the Eurocopter/Airbus Missouri production line will change to the UH-72B based on the Airbus H145
Specifications
| Engine | 2 x Safran Arriel 1E2 738 shp |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 + 8 |
| Length (m) | 13 |
| Height (m) | 3.45 |
| Blades | 4 |
| Rotor diam. (m) | 11 |
| Disc area (m2) | 95 |
| Weight (kgs) | Empty: 1792 Max: 3585 |
| Speed (km/h) | Cruise: 246 Max: 269 |
| Range (km) | 685 |
| Ceiling (m) | 5800 |
| Rate/Climb (m/min) | 487 |
