Airbus UH-72A Lakota Specs, Interior, Cockpit, and Price – Airbus UH-72A Lakota is a light utility helicopter specifically designed by the EADS Company (now Airbus) to meet US Army requirements. The Lakota UH-72A helicopter was produced to replace the UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58 A/ C KiH helicopters. The UH-72A serves troops primarily for logistics and supporting missions in the US. It is also used by the National Guard for internal security and disaster response and medical evacuation missions. Lakota helicopters began operating in June 2007. Full production was approved in August 2007.
The Lakota UH-72A lightweight utility helicopter is a military version of Eurocopter EC145. During the competitive bidding phase, EADS North America used the designation of the UH-145 for its light utility helicopter entry. The helicopter is being manufactured by Airbus Helicopters at the company's production center in Columbus, Mississippi. Airbus handed over 423 UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters to the US Army, US Navy and National Guard in March 2018. The US Department of Defense (DoD) placed orders for more than 470 Lakota to date.
The Lakota UH-72A main rotor and tail rotor are set high to enable fast and safe loading and unloading through the main door and rear-body clamshell door, even when the rotor rotates. The tail rotor blades are set high to reduce noise and vibration characteristics.
Safety features include high level redundancy with twin engine designs, and excessive hydraulic, electric and engine control systems. The crashed airframe and seat also contribute to operational safety and the UH-72A's ability to survive.
The Lakota UH-72A helicopter has an externally installed rescue electric hoist, type 44301 series from Goodrich Corporation. The hoist is mounted on the boom and supporting assembly which allows it to be positioned in an arch up to 63 ° from the centerline of the fuselage for maximum operational flexibility. The hoist is kept parallel to the fuselage during the flight.
The UH-72A Lakota is equipped with a glass cockpit that is compatible with night-vision goggles with an active matrix liquid crystal display and Meghas avionics circuit supplied by Thales US. The cockpit display includes Thales's centralized vehicle and engine management (VEMD) display. The cockpit display simplifies the presentation of flight and vehicle information, increases crew situational alertness, and reduces pilot workload.
The avionics suite and UH-72A Lakota helicopter automatic flight control system are supplied by Sagem Avionics, Inc. and partly produced at the company's Grand Prairie, Texas facility. The automatic flight control system includes two attitude and post reference systems (AHRS), a sophisticated power management (APM) computer, smart electro-mechanical actuator, TRIM actuator and optical fiber gyroscope.
The Lakota UH-72A helicopter navigation and communication system is supplied by Wulfsberg Electronics based in Prescott, Arizona. Air traffic control navigation and communication including dual VHF communication transceivers, dual VHF navigation receivers with VOR, ILS and marker beacons, and DME transceivers.
The Lakota UH-72A tactical communication system includes a RT-5000 wideband transceiver that operates at 29 MHz to 960 MHz, and the P-2000 dual tactical communication transceiver. Wulfsberg Electronics also supplies navigation and communication systems for EC145 helicopters used in civilian roles and special missions.
The cockpit and cabin are equipped with a heating and ventilation system provided by Keith Products. The Keith Product's heating, ventilating and cooling systems are installed as standard equipment for all civil EC145 versions of the Lakota UH-72A.
The modular design of the Lakota UH-72A lightweight utility helicopter allows fast and efficient installation of various mission modules. For ambulance and medical evacuation missions, the cabin can accommodate two stretchers, plus one crew chief (who is eligible to operate hoists and other aircraft equipment) and one medical officer. Standard stretcher and UH-72A mount retainer stretcher are supplied by Aerolite of Washington.
In October 2008, the US Navy ordered five Lakota for training at the Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland. In the same year, the US Army ordered 39 Lakota further, expanding production to the end of 2010. Five others were ordered in January 2009, bringing the total confirmed orders for the army to 128. UH-72 50th and 51st were sent in December 2008 .
The US Army received two new UH-72A helicopters in January 2009 to replace the 38-year-old UH-1H Iroquois helicopter. The South Dakota Army National Guard received the first of six UH-72A helicopters in May 2011. The 200th Lakota was sent to the US Army in March 2012.
In January 2012, North American EADS received a $ 212.7 million contract from the US Army to send 39 Lakota UH-72A helicopters. Meanwhile in November, North American EADS received a $ 181.8 million contract option from the US Army to send 34 Lakota UH-72A helicopters, bringing the total order to 312.
The US Army placed a $ 220.5 million modification contract with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of 41 Lakota UH-72A light utility helicopters, in February 2014. Airbus sent a UH-72A training helicopter configured first production line to the US Army in March 2015.
The US Army gave Airbus a $ 65.8 million contract for the delivery of 12 additional UH-72A helicopters and related mission packages in November 2015. Airbus received a $ 1 billion five-year contract from the Army to provide parts and material and engineering support to the UH-72A fleet in December 2016. Two additional contracts totaling $ 389 million were awarded by the US Army for the delivery of 51 Lakota UH-72A helicopters in March 2018.
The Lakota UH-72A lightweight utility helicopter is a military version of Eurocopter EC145. During the competitive bidding phase, EADS North America used the designation of the UH-145 for its light utility helicopter entry. The helicopter is being manufactured by Airbus Helicopters at the company's production center in Columbus, Mississippi. Airbus handed over 423 UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters to the US Army, US Navy and National Guard in March 2018. The US Department of Defense (DoD) placed orders for more than 470 Lakota to date.
Airbus UH-72A Lakota Specs
The design of the Lakota UH-72A fuselage is based on the Eurocopter EC145. Overall, the UH-72A helicopter has a length of 10.18 m (33.4 ft) and a height of 3.44 m (11.3 ft). This helicopter has a rotor system without hinges with a composite main rotor blades which are 11 m in diameter. Meanwhile, the diameter of the tail rotor is 1.95 m.The Lakota UH-72A main rotor and tail rotor are set high to enable fast and safe loading and unloading through the main door and rear-body clamshell door, even when the rotor rotates. The tail rotor blades are set high to reduce noise and vibration characteristics.
Safety features include high level redundancy with twin engine designs, and excessive hydraulic, electric and engine control systems. The crashed airframe and seat also contribute to operational safety and the UH-72A's ability to survive.
The Lakota UH-72A helicopter has an externally installed rescue electric hoist, type 44301 series from Goodrich Corporation. The hoist is mounted on the boom and supporting assembly which allows it to be positioned in an arch up to 63 ° from the centerline of the fuselage for maximum operational flexibility. The hoist is kept parallel to the fuselage during the flight.
Airbus UH-72A Lakota Engine
The Lakota UH-72A helicopter is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines. Each engine provides 550 kW of takeoff and 516 kW of continuous power. The engine is rated to provide a maximum power of 574 kW for two and a half minutes and 404 kW continuously in machine-inoperable battle mode.Airbus UH-72A Lakota Cockpit and Avionics
The UH-72A Lakota helicopter cockpit is equipped with a multi-crooked windshield supplied by Nordam Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This windshield provides good visibility for the crew and helicopter passengers. The cockpit holds two crew members and is equipped with two Simula energy absorbing cockpit seats supplied by BAE Systems Mobility and Protection Systems (formerly Armor Holdings Aerospace and Defense Groups) in Phoenix, Arizona. The cockpit seat has an ergonomic cushion, a four-point restraint system with an inertia reel and qualifies for FAA eligibility standards.The UH-72A Lakota is equipped with a glass cockpit that is compatible with night-vision goggles with an active matrix liquid crystal display and Meghas avionics circuit supplied by Thales US. The cockpit display includes Thales's centralized vehicle and engine management (VEMD) display. The cockpit display simplifies the presentation of flight and vehicle information, increases crew situational alertness, and reduces pilot workload.
The avionics suite and UH-72A Lakota helicopter automatic flight control system are supplied by Sagem Avionics, Inc. and partly produced at the company's Grand Prairie, Texas facility. The automatic flight control system includes two attitude and post reference systems (AHRS), a sophisticated power management (APM) computer, smart electro-mechanical actuator, TRIM actuator and optical fiber gyroscope.
The Lakota UH-72A helicopter navigation and communication system is supplied by Wulfsberg Electronics based in Prescott, Arizona. Air traffic control navigation and communication including dual VHF communication transceivers, dual VHF navigation receivers with VOR, ILS and marker beacons, and DME transceivers.
The Lakota UH-72A tactical communication system includes a RT-5000 wideband transceiver that operates at 29 MHz to 960 MHz, and the P-2000 dual tactical communication transceiver. Wulfsberg Electronics also supplies navigation and communication systems for EC145 helicopters used in civilian roles and special missions.
Airbus UH-72A Lakota Cabin Interior
The spacious cabin of the UH-72A can accommodate eight troops or passengers. The cabin is equipped with a Simula BAE System passenger seat that is folding in design and meets FAA eligibility standards. The cockpit and passenger seat are made of lightweight, high-strength composite construction and include aramid and graphite materials. The cabin is equipped with large side windows, thus increasing passenger visibility.The cockpit and cabin are equipped with a heating and ventilation system provided by Keith Products. The Keith Product's heating, ventilating and cooling systems are installed as standard equipment for all civil EC145 versions of the Lakota UH-72A.
The modular design of the Lakota UH-72A lightweight utility helicopter allows fast and efficient installation of various mission modules. For ambulance and medical evacuation missions, the cabin can accommodate two stretchers, plus one crew chief (who is eligible to operate hoists and other aircraft equipment) and one medical officer. Standard stretcher and UH-72A mount retainer stretcher are supplied by Aerolite of Washington.
Airbus UH-72A Lakota Price and Orders
The price of the latest Airbus UH-72A Lakota helicopter is around US $ 7.8 Million. A $ 43.1 million contract was awarded to EADS North America in June 2006 for an initial order of eight helicopters. The army received the first Lakota UH-72A shipment in December 2006. The first eight helicopters were delivered in July 2007. An additional order for 34 helicopters valued at $ 170 million was placed in October 2006 for delivery at the end of 2008.In October 2008, the US Navy ordered five Lakota for training at the Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland. In the same year, the US Army ordered 39 Lakota further, expanding production to the end of 2010. Five others were ordered in January 2009, bringing the total confirmed orders for the army to 128. UH-72 50th and 51st were sent in December 2008 .
The US Army received two new UH-72A helicopters in January 2009 to replace the 38-year-old UH-1H Iroquois helicopter. The South Dakota Army National Guard received the first of six UH-72A helicopters in May 2011. The 200th Lakota was sent to the US Army in March 2012.
In January 2012, North American EADS received a $ 212.7 million contract from the US Army to send 39 Lakota UH-72A helicopters. Meanwhile in November, North American EADS received a $ 181.8 million contract option from the US Army to send 34 Lakota UH-72A helicopters, bringing the total order to 312.
The US Army placed a $ 220.5 million modification contract with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of 41 Lakota UH-72A light utility helicopters, in February 2014. Airbus sent a UH-72A training helicopter configured first production line to the US Army in March 2015.
The US Army gave Airbus a $ 65.8 million contract for the delivery of 12 additional UH-72A helicopters and related mission packages in November 2015. Airbus received a $ 1 billion five-year contract from the Army to provide parts and material and engineering support to the UH-72A fleet in December 2016. Two additional contracts totaling $ 389 million were awarded by the US Army for the delivery of 51 Lakota UH-72A helicopters in March 2018.
Airbus UH-72A Lakota Specs, Interior, Cockpit, and Price
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