Airbus has announced that has signed a contract for up to 12 more UH-72Bs (H145) for the Army National Guard as it continues to modernise the Guard’s UH-72 fleet. The contact which is valued at USD115 million is for 10 firm orders as well as options for two more helicopters.
The news came just 24 hours after the announcement that the 220 UH-72As (EC145 C2) used by the Army for initial entry rotary wing (IERW) training are to be phased out, replaced by the Robinson R66 as part of the successful M1 Services bid for the Flight School Next contract. Although there is no word yet about plans for those aircraft which are still relatively young.
The National Guard’s UH-72 fleet at 480 aircraft is the third largest rotary wing fleet in the US Army and are employed on a variety of missions including homeland defence, search and rescue, disaster relief, surveillance and Medevac
“Army and National Guard pilots need modern technology and a proven aircraft they can count on to meet evolving mission demands,” said Alex Veneziano, CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense. “Continued modernisation ensures the Army’s Lakota fleet remains a critical part of Army aviation for years to come.”
The aircraft will be assembled at Airbus’ helicopter production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027 and be compete by the end of 2029.
Image: Airbus Helicopters
