Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota: Difference between revisions

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;UH-72A Lakota : An unarmed utility military version of the EC 145.
;UH-72A Lakota : An unarmed utility military version of the EC 145.


;Armed Scout 645 (EC645): A proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army's OH-58D replacement program being offered by EADS and [[Lockheed Martin]]. The companies announced a teaming agreement for the Armed Scout 645 on 4 May 2009.<ref>[http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=606 "EADS North America selects Lockheed Martin as Mission Equipment Package integrator for new Armed Scout Helicopter"]. Eurocopter, 4 May 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.armedscout.com/images/EADS%20Armed%20Scout%20645%20datasheet.pdf Armed Scout fact sheet]. EADS NA/Lockheed Martin, Retrieved: 4 June 2011.</ref> Three flight demonstrator aircraft named ''AAS-72X'' will be built in 2010. They are expected to begin flight testing in late 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Warwick |first = Graham |title = Army's Aerial Scout Options Expand |date = April 4 2010 |url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A74dbcd32-3ee8-43b4-82ff-d3278ab8b639 |publisher = Aviation Week}}</ref> In September 2012, EADS began voluntary flight demonstrations of the aircraft. Over the next two weeks they plan to fly an AAS-72X and an EC145 T2 at high altitudes.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eads-starts-voluntary-us-army-flight-demo-of-aas-72x+-376979/ EADS starts voluntary US Army flight demo of AAS-72X+] - Flightglobal.com, September 26, 2012</ref>
;Armed Scout 645 (EC645): A proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army's OH-58D replacement program being offered by EADS and [[Lockheed Martin]]. The companies announced a teaming agreement for the Armed Scout 645 on 4 May 2009.<ref>[http://www.eurocopter.com/publications/FO/scripts/newsFO_complet.php?lang=EN&news_id=606 "EADS North America selects Lockheed Martin as Mission Equipment Package integrator for new Armed Scout Helicopter"]. Eurocopter, 4 May 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.armedscout.com/images/EADS%20Armed%20Scout%20645%20datasheet.pdf Armed Scout fact sheet]. EADS NA/Lockheed Martin, Retrieved: 4 June 2011.</ref> Three flight demonstrator aircraft named ''AAS-72X'' will be built in 2010. They began flight testing in late 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Warwick |first = Graham |title = Army's Aerial Scout Options Expand |date = April 4 2010 |url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A74dbcd32-3ee8-43b4-82ff-d3278ab8b639 |publisher = Aviation Week}}</ref> In September 2012, EADS began voluntary flight demonstrations of the aircraft. Over the next two weeks they flew an AAS-72X and an EC145 T2 at high altitudes.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eads-starts-voluntary-us-army-flight-demo-of-aas-72x+-376979/ EADS starts voluntary US Army flight demo of AAS-72X+] - Flightglobal.com, September 26, 2012</ref> Flying took place from September 24 to October 3. The aircraft met performance requirements and the Army was urged by EADS to buy the new armed reconnaissance helicopter, claiming there was little utility or need to look at a new concept development effort.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/eads-urges-us-army-to-buy-new-scout-helicopter-377827/ EADS urges US Army to buy new scout helicopter] - Flightglobal.com, October 18, 2012</ref>


==Operators==
==Operators==

Revision as of 20:27, 19 October 2012

UH-72 Lakota
UH-72 Lakota
Role Light utility helicopter
National origin Multinational
Manufacturer Eurocopter
American Eurocopter (assembly)
First flight 2006
Introduction 2007
Status In service
Primary user United States Army
Produced 2006-present
Number built 200
Developed from Eurocopter EC 145

The Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine helicopter with a single, four-bladed main rotor. The UH-72 is a militarized version of the Eurocopter EC145 and is built by American Eurocopter division of EADS North America. Initially marketed as the UH-145, the helicopter was selected as the winner of the United States Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program on 30 June 2006. In October 2006, American Eurocopter was awarded a production contract for 345 aircraft to replace aging UH-1H/V and OH-58A/C helicopters in the Army and Army National Guard fleets.

Development

Background

The US Army's LHX program began in the early 1980s, proposing two helicopter designs with a high percentage of commonality of dynamic components. One was a light utility version ("LHX-U") for assault and tactical movement of troops and supplies, the other was a light scout/attack version ("LHX-SCAT") to complement the growing development of the AH-64 Apache. As the program was developed, the light utility version was dropped and focus was placed on the light attack reconnaissance version,[1] which eventually became the RAH-66 Comanche.[2]

In 2004, the Department of Defense and the US Army made the decision to terminate the RAH-66 program. As part of the termination, the Army was allowed to keep the future years' funding programmed for the Comanche.[3] To replace the capability that the Comanche was supposed to offer, the Army planned several programs, including three new aircraft. The Army Staff decided that these three aircraft, the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and the Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) (later renamed Joint Cargo Aircraft, or JCA), were to be existing, in-production commercial aircraft modified for Army service.

LUH Program and UH-145

The LUH program was initiated in early 2004, with an initial stated requirement for 322 helicopters to conduct Homeland Security, administrative, logistic, Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and support of the Army Test and Training Centers missions. The LUH contract was released in late July 2005. At least five proposals were received. The competitors included the Bell 210 and Bell 412, MD Explorer and AW139. EADS North America (EADS NA) marketed the UH-145 variant of the EC 145 for the program.[4]

A Eurocopter EC 145 (German ADAC air rescue helicopter), a version of which was selected as the LUH

On 30 June 2006, the Army announced that the EADS NA entry had won the competition for the LUH contract, the value for which was estimated as being worth over $3 billion. In August, the UH-145 airframe was officially designated the UH-72A by the Department of Defense. The UH-145 award was confirmed in October 2006 following protests from losing bidders.

Despite the impact of the four-month delay associated with the protests, EADS NA was still able to deliver the first UH-72 on time during a ceremony in December, at which time the name Lakota was also formally announced for the type, in line with the Army's long-standing tradition of giving its helicopters Native American names. The LUH marked EADS NA's largest DoD contract to date, and added to existing programs including the U.S. Coast Guard's HH-65 Dolphin and HC-144A and various other defense and security systems contracts.

The Lakota received full rate production (FRP) approval on 23 August 2007. This will allow the Army to buy the full quantity of aircraft, planned at 345 through 2017 as of June 2008.[5] The UH-72A is being produced at American Eurocopter's facility in Columbus, Mississippi. Production was transitioning from local assembly of aircraft kits received from Eurocopter Deutschland to full local production, which was slated to begin in March 2009.[6] In December 2009, the Army ordered 45 more UH-72As to increase the order total to 178.[7] The 100th Lakota was delivered in March 2010 from EADS NA to the US Army.[8] By late August 2011, 180 had been delivered.[9]

Design

The UH-72 is designed to take on a range of missions, from general support and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) to personnel recovery and counter-narcotics operations. They are planned to replace the UH-1 and OH-58A/C, which are older light utility helicopters, and supplant other types in domestic use, primarily those in Army National Guard service.

The UH-72 is being procured as a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product, which simplifies logistics support of the fleet.[10] EADS NA has teamed with Sikorsky to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for the UH-72, through its Helicopter Support, Inc. (HSI)/Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance. (SAM) subsidiaries.[11]

Operational history

UH-72As land in Tupelo, Mississippi. They were the first two Lakotas fielded to the Army National Guard.

The first aircraft was delivered to the United States Army on 11 December 2006 in Columbus, Mississippi.[12] On 12 December 2006, General Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Joe Red Cloud, a chief of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Lakota nation, accepted the first UH-72A in an official ceremony.[13] The Army estimated that delivery of the planned 345 aircraft would continue until 2017.[5]

The first production helicopters were sent to the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California for medical evacuation missions in January 2007. On 20 June 2007, the NTC's United States Army Air Ambulance Detachment (USAAAD) became the first operational unit to field the Lakota.[14] On 10 July 2007, the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Flight Detachment at Fort Eustis, Virginia became the second Army unit fielded with the UH-72A.[15]

A report published in August 2007, by the Operational Test and Evaluation Directorate (DOT&E) noted that, although the Lakota "is effective in the performance of light utility missions" it was prone to overheating during operations in the desert conditions of Fort Irwin, when not equipped with air conditioning systems.[16] In response, vents were added in the doors to increase cabin air flow; air conditioning has been installed on some Medical and VIP versions also added air conditioning units for crew comfort.[17]

A UH-72A at the Pentagon in November 2010

The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) located at Fort Polk, Louisiana received their first aircraft on 7 September 2007. On 16 January 2009, the United States Military Academy received two UH-72As, replacing two UH-1H helicopters for VIP transport to and from the academy. The helicopters also support the cadet parachute team and cadet training missions.[18] The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School received the first of five UH-72As in September 2009. The UH-72A replaced the TH-6B Cayuse as the prime training aircraft for the test pilot school's helicopter curriculum.[19]

By March 2010, the Lakota entered service in Puerto Rico, Kwajalein Atoll, and the U.S. Army’s missile test range in Germany.[20] On 20 December 2010, a UH-72A assigned to the Puerto Rico National Guard became the first UH-72A to experience a fatal accident. The aircraft crashed at sea off the coast of Puerto Rico, and all six personnel aboard were killed.[21]

On 18 July 2012, the US Army received 3 UH-72A Lakotas at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. These are be used by the Aviation Flight Test Directorate for general support and as chase aircraft to support developmental testing of aircraft and aviation systems. With the delivery the Army has received over 200 UH-72As.[22]

On 22 September 2012 the Oregon Army National Guard's Detachment-1, C Company, 1-112 Aviation received the first of four new UH-72A Lakota helicopters during a roll-out ceremony at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon. [23]

A planned sale of two aircraft for the Armed Forces of Malta under the United States Foreign Military Sales program was cancelled in 2012.[citation needed]

Variants

UH-72A Lakota
An unarmed utility military version of the EC 145.
Armed Scout 645 (EC645)
A proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army's OH-58D replacement program being offered by EADS and Lockheed Martin. The companies announced a teaming agreement for the Armed Scout 645 on 4 May 2009.[24][25] Three flight demonstrator aircraft named AAS-72X will be built in 2010. They began flight testing in late 2010.[26] In September 2012, EADS began voluntary flight demonstrations of the aircraft. Over the next two weeks they flew an AAS-72X and an EC145 T2 at high altitudes.[27] Flying took place from September 24 to October 3. The aircraft met performance requirements and the Army was urged by EADS to buy the new armed reconnaissance helicopter, claiming there was little utility or need to look at a new concept development effort.[28]

Operators

 United States

Specifications (UH-72A)

Data from UH-72 specifications,[29] Eurocopter EC 145 data[30]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 8 troops or 2 stretchers and medical crew

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ "US Army set new LHX Timetable". Fight International, 27 February 1988.
  2. ^ "From LHX to Comanche". Globalsecurity.org, 25 March 2008.
  3. ^ "Briefing on the Restructure and Revitalization of Army Aviation". U.S. Department of Defense, 23 February 2004.
  4. ^ "EADS North America to Offer the UH-145 for the U.S. Army's light utility helicopter (LUH) mission". EADS North America, 24 August 2005.
  5. ^ a b "The UH-72A “comes home” to its new Army assignment in Mississippi". EADS North America, 7 June 2008.
  6. ^ "EADS underscores commitment to U.S. production". Reuters, 9 May 2008.
  7. ^ a b "EADS North America receives $247 million contract for Light Utility Helicopter program". EADS North America, 10 December 2009.
  8. ^ Trimble, Stephen (4 March 2010). "How long before UH-72 gets militarized?". flightglobal.com.
  9. ^ "EADS North America passes the halfway mark in deliveries of the U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota helicopter". EADS North America, 24 August 2011.
  10. ^ Jesmain, Andrew. "DIIG Current Issues No.7: Case Study: The Drivers of a Successful COTS Acquisition". Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), 2009.
  11. ^ "Sikorsky Contractor Logistics Support" Sikorsky. April 2007
  12. ^ Sims, Paul. "Ready for flight. Eurocopter delivers first UH-72A to U.S. Army as world's media watches." Starkville Daily News, 12 December 2006.
  13. ^ US Army unveils UH-72A Lakota. US Army, 11 December 2006.
  14. ^ "UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter Enters Operational Service with the First Full-equipped US Army Unit" EADS North America, 19 June 2007.
  15. ^ Dinklage, Lindy. "Lakotas mark transition in Army aviation". U.S. Army, Fort Eustis Public Affairs, 15 October 2007. Retrieved: 28 June 2009.
  16. ^ Davis, Aaron C. for Associated Press. "New Army chopper overheats". encyclopedia.com, 10 November 2007.
  17. ^ "UH-72 Lakota: Hot n’ High". defenseindustrydaily.com, 18 November 2007.
  18. ^ "USMA takes possession of new helicopters". Mid-Hudson News Network, 17 January 2009.
  19. ^ a b "U.S. Naval Test Pilot School UH-72A Lakotas have arrived". Naval Air Systems Command. 24 March 2010.
  20. ^ "Expanding missions for the UH-72A are highlighted at the 100th Lakota delivery ceremony". EADS North America. 4 March 2010.
  21. ^ Tremble, Stephen. "UH-72A crashes off Puerto Rico in first major mishap". Flight International, 22 December 2010.
  22. ^ http://www.al.com/42/index.ssf/2012/07/army_fields_three_uh-72a_lakot.html#incart_river_business
  23. ^ http://www.albanytribune.com/20092012-oregon-national-guard-to-roll-out-new-uh-72a-lakota-helicopters%E2%80%8F/
  24. ^ "EADS North America selects Lockheed Martin as Mission Equipment Package integrator for new Armed Scout Helicopter". Eurocopter, 4 May 2009.
  25. ^ Armed Scout fact sheet. EADS NA/Lockheed Martin, Retrieved: 4 June 2011.
  26. ^ Warwick, Graham (April 4 2010). "Army's Aerial Scout Options Expand". Aviation Week. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ EADS starts voluntary US Army flight demo of AAS-72X+ - Flightglobal.com, September 26, 2012
  28. ^ EADS urges US Army to buy new scout helicopter - Flightglobal.com, October 18, 2012
  29. ^ UH-72A Lakota specifications, American Eurocopter.
  30. ^ Eurocopter EC 145 Technical Data. Eurocopter

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UH-72 Lakota.
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