US Army awards Airbus $140M contract for 12 UH-72B Lakota helicopters

Published Aug 17, 01:56 PM UTC

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.