Airbus delivers first Lakota training helicopter to US Army
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first UH-72A Lakota helicopter in training configuration to the US Army, the company announced on 26 March.
This is the first Lakota helicopter to be configured at the production line as an initial-entry training helicopter. The army already has seven Lakotas that were modified into the training configuration.
This new helicopter will join the other seven training helicopters fielded to Fort Rucker, in preparation for the formal introduction of the UH-72A Lakota into the training curriculum in early fiscal 2016. The army ultimately plans to order 187 Lakota initial-entry training helicopters.
The US Department of Defense has so far ordered 400 Lakota helicopters for the army, of which 332 have been delivered so far, including the latest training helicopter from Airbus Helicopters.
Marc Paganini, president and CEO, Airbus Helicopters, said: 'We're making the necessary important investments to ensure a successful transition of the Lakota into training operations at Fort Rucker.
'We're honoured that future army aviators will begin their flying careers at the controls of the Lakota.'
The UH-72A is a twin-engine aircraft with a glass cockpit that is compatible with night vision goggles. It fills a variety of roles for the army and National Guard, including search and rescue, medical evacuation, border security, command and control, VIP transport, general utility and training.
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