202 Light Utility (LUH)/UH-72A Lakota

INVESTMENT COMPONENT Modernization single-main-rotor commercial utility is arranged and lit to be compatible • 4QFY09: Initiate retrofit of ARC-231 helicopter of the 3–6 ton class. It has with night vision devices. Included • 1QFY10: 4 Navy TPS Recapitalization seating for two pilots and up to six in the avionics are a radar altimeter, delivered passengers or two NATO standard full autopilot, and a unique First Limit • Current: Total of 72 aircraft Maintenance litters, crew chief, and medical Indicator (FLI) that further simplifies delivered to units in Active Army attendant. Two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engine monitoring and reduces pilot and National Guard; receiving MISSION engines, combined with an advanced workload. mission equipment packages, To provide flexible response to four-blade rotor system, provide lift including vent kit, Environmental homeland security requirements: and speed in a wide range of operating In addition to the MEDEVAC and Control Unit (ECU), medical to conduct civil conditions, including high-altitude and hoist configuration, the UH-72A is equipment storage kit, VIP kit, ARC- single-engine operation capability. also being fielded in a VIP, National 231 military radio, and equipment to operations, support damage Access to the aircraft is through sliding Guard Homeland Security (HLS) and support training operations/National assessment, support test and doors on each side of the cabin or a Combined Training Center (CTC) Guard counter-drug mission. training centers, perform generating through the wide rear clamshell doors. configuration. force missions, reconnaissance and PROJECTED ACTIVITIES surveillance, and augment medical Crew seating comprises two individual, The United States Navy Test Pilot • 2QFY10: 100 aircraft complete evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions. longitudinally adjustable, energy- School (TPS) ordered five UH-72A delivery absorbing pilot and copilot seats with aircraft in 2008. • 3QFY10: Aircraft field to Europe; DESCRIPTION head rest and four-point safety belts Aircraft field to Kwajalien The UH-72A LAKOTA Light Utility with automatic locking system. The SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES • 4QFY10: 123 aircraft complete Helicopter (LUH) will conduct general passenger seats have a four-point OH-58A/C, UH-1, ARC-231, UH-60 C-5 delivery, first three years of support missions restraint harness. When equipped (RERP), C-17, GATM, Air Warrior, production and execute tasks as part of an for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) Sealift • 4QFY11: 180 aircraft complete integrated effort with other joint operations with two NATO standard delivery services, government agencies, and litters, passenger seating is limited to PROGRAM STATUS non-governmental organizations. The a medical attendant and a crew chief. • FY09: 128 aircraft are on contract LUH is to be deployed only to non- with 41 to be delivered. combat, non-hostile environments. The The aircraft is equipped with modern • 2QFY09: First fielding of MEDEVAC UH-72A is a variant of the American communication and navigation configuration to National Guard Eurocopter U.S.-produced EC-145. avionics, which facilitate operation in • 3QFY09: Field first aircraft overseas The UH-72A is a twin-engine, civilian airspace systems. The cockpit to National Guard units

ACQUISITION PHASE Technology Development Engineering & Manufacturing Development Production & Deployment Operations & Support

UNITED STATES ARMY 203

Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES None

CONTRACTORS EADS North America (Arlington, VA) American Eurocopter (Columbus, MS; Grand Prairie, TX) CAE USA (Tampa, FL) Sikorsky Aircraft (Stratford, CT)

UH-72A Max Gross Weight: 7,903 pounds Cruise Speed: 140 knots Engines (2 each): Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 External Load: 1,214 pounds Internal Load: 1,214 troops/pounds Crew: Two pilots, one crew chief

WEAPON SYSTEMS 2010