Airbus to modernise U.S. Army Lakota helicopters

The U.S. Army has awarded Airbus a US$27.8 million contract to upgrade the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP).      

Upgrades to the MEP expand the UH-72A Lakota helicopter’s capabilities to conduct day-and-night operations by providing an advanced moving map, enhanced digital interfaces, new monitors, an airborne mission management system and other system improvements.  

“This award provides pilots with significantly increased functionality and capability to carry out today’s demanding missions, further enhancing the Lakota helicopter’s value as an ISR asset for the National Guard.” said Scott Tumpak, Vice President of Military Line of Business for Airbus U.S. Space and Defence.

MEP equipped UH-72A helicopters are specifically designed to execute National Guard operations across a range of missions including domestic operations, counter-drug and border security. 

The Army contract will retrofit up to 50 Security and Support Battalion aircraft deployed throughout the United States. There are currently 107 in the fleet. 

These aircraft will be modified at Airbus’ Columbus, Mississippi helicopter production facility, where more than 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota, based on the H145, have been delivered to the US Army since 2006.

The contract will be managed by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. Operating under a Special Security Agreement, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. offers world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor, and fixed wing solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements.