U.S. Army Awards Airbus $140M Contract for 12 UH-72B Lakota Helicopters
On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Army awarded Airbus Helicopters Inc. a $115.4 million firm-fixed-price contract (potentially $140.7 million with options) for up to 12 UH-72B Lakota light utility helicopters. The upgraded five-blade, Fenestron-equipped variant will serve Army National Guard units in training, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and border security. Deliveries from Columbus, Mississippi, are scheduled between 2027 and 2029, with work at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, completing by December 2030. The order supports fleet modernization as older UH-72A models are phased out.
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US Army awards Airbus $140 million contract for 12 new UH-72B Lakota helicopters
The US Army has awarded Airbus a $140 million contract for the production of 12 new UH-72B Lakota helicopters. The contract, reported by Army Recognition, covers the delivery of these light utility helicopters, which are used for domestic training, medical evacuation, and security missions. The UH-72B is an upgraded variant of the Lakota family, featuring improved performance and avionics. This deal underscores the ongoing modernization of the US Army's rotary-wing fleet and Airbus's role as a key supplier for non-combat helicopter needs.
US Army awards Airbus $140 million contract for 12 new UH-72B Lakota helicopters
On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Army awarded Airbus Helicopters Inc. a $115.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for 10 UH-72B Lakota light utility helicopters, with options for two additional units, bringing the total potential value to $140.7 million. The contract extends production of the upgraded five-bladed, Fenestron-equipped variant for Army National Guard operational units through 2030. Deliveries from Airbus's Columbus, Mississippi facility are scheduled between 2027 and 2029. The UH-72B features more powerful Safran Arriel 2E engines, a five-blade main rotor, enclosed Fenestron tail rotor, greater payload capacity, and a digital cockpit with four-axis autopilot. This procurement occurs as the Army prepares to remove roughly 220 older UH-72A models from initial entry pilot training under the Flight School Next initiative. The contract uses FY2024 and FY2025 procurement funds.
US Army Awards Airbus $140 Million Contract for 12 New UH-72B Lakota Helicopters
On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Army awarded Airbus Helicopters Inc. a firm-fixed-price contract valued at up to $140.7 million for 12 UH-72B Lakota light utility helicopters, with an initial obligation of $115.4 million for 10 firm aircraft. The contract extends production of the upgraded five-bladed, Fenestron-equipped variant for Army National Guard operational units through 2030. Deliveries from Airbus's Columbus, Mississippi facility are scheduled between 2027 and 2029. The UH-72B features more powerful Safran Arriel 2E engines, a digital cockpit with four-axis autopilot, and enhanced high-altitude hover performance. This procurement occurs as the Army prepares to remove roughly 220 older UH-72A models from initial entry pilot training under the Flight School Next initiative. The order represents a small addition to the existing 479-aircraft Lakota inventory.
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U.S. Army Orders Up to 12 More UH-72B Lakota Helicopters from Airbus
The U.S. Army has awarded Airbus Helicopters Inc. a $115.4 million contract to produce up to 12 additional UH-72B Lakota helicopters, as announced by the Department of War on August 14. The contract, which covers the MBB-BK 117 D3 variant with specialized equipment, was solicited online and received only one bid. Initial funding comes from fiscal 2024 and 2025 Army aircraft procurement budgets, with work expected to be completed by December 31, 2030, at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The Lakota program, initiated in 2006, has produced over 463 aircraft for the Army, Army National Guard, and Navy. The UH-72B variant, introduced in 2020, features a five-blade main rotor, Fenestron tail rotor, and Helionix avionics. The fleet primarily serves training, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and border security missions, accumulating over 1.6 million flight hours.
U.S. Army orders up to 12 more UH-72B Lakota helicopters
The U.S. Army has awarded Airbus Helicopters Inc. a $115.4 million contract to build up to 12 additional UH-72B Lakota helicopters, as announced by the Department of War on August 14. The contract covers the MBB-BK 117 D3 helicopters, jettisonable cockpit doors, air conditioning, engine inlet barrier filters, and program management. The initial obligation is $115.4 million, with a potential cumulative value of $140.7 million if options are exercised. Work will be performed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with completion by December 31, 2030. The Army received only one bid. The Lakota program began in 2006, with 463 UH-72A variants built before shifting to the UH-72B model. The fleet serves in training, search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, homeland defense, and drug interdiction missions, logging over 1.6 million total flight hours.