UH-72A Lakota Helicopter

The UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter is a commercial aircraft designed to conduct light general support tasks in permissive, non-combat environments. Those tasks include civil search and rescue, personnel recovery, evacuation, counter-drug and limited civil command and control operations in the conduct of Homeland Security. The U.S. Army accepted delivery of the first UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter at Columbus, MS on 11 December 2006. The manufacturer is European Aeronautical Defence and Space Company North America.

The UH-72A Lakota has 21st century, multi-functional displays and two turbine engines. The UH-72A Lakota is designed to transport six Soldiers plus its crew of two pilots. Additional configurations include the capability of carrying two NATO litters with patients and one medical attendant. The aircraft will also have a hoist for use in emergency evacuations.

The Army intends to procure and field a total of 322 Lakotas beginning in FY 2006 and ending in 2015. Initial deliveries will be to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA for medical evacuation missions in January 2007. The UH-72A Lakota will replace UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, for operational missions within its scope.

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UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter

U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center pilots Alvyn Chapman and Michael Weis land a UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, Cairns Army Airfield, Fort Rucker, AL, 29 November 2006
U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center pilots Alvyn Chapman and Michael Weis land a UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, Cairns Army Airfield, Fort Rucker, AL, 29 November 2006.

The first U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter displayed during the delivery ceremony, Columbus, MS, 11 December 2006
The first U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter displayed during the delivery ceremony, Columbus, MS, 11 December 2006.

UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter
UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter.