ARMY AL&T
rescue hoist and substitutes provisions for two NATO standard litters in the back. The high tail rotor and large rear clam shell doors help ease loading and removing litter-bound patients. So far, 25 aircraft have been delivered in MEDEVAC configuration.
Beyond the standard and MEDEVAC configurations, further enhancements of the aircraft’s capabilities include several Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs). These MEP kits allow the UH-72A to perform specific missions in support of their major command roles. These include a sensor and communication MEP for the ARNG to conduct its security and support battalion missions. Another MEP facilitates the opposing force/observer controller role at the training and readiness centers, which includes unique camouflage paint as well as communication equipment. There will also be another MEP for the aircraft to be stationed at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands to enhance its over-water capability. These different MEP kits will make the UH-72A more capable and useful to the units. The UH-72A is also certified by the Army to support static and free-fall parachute operations. This supports training at the USMA, as well as at JRTC and other Army sites across the world.
Further enhancements of the aircraft’s capabilities include several MEPs. These MEP kits allow the UH-72A to perform specifi c missions in support of their major command roles.
The UH-72A has been flying in the United States and its territories, accomplishing various missions since it equipped its first unit in November 2006. To date, the fleet has flown more than 20,000 hours in training and sup- port missions. These missions have included homeland security, disaster relief, surveillance, support missions to Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana and Mississippi, and MEDEVAC patient pickup and transport missions at the test and training centers. Since June 2007, any time the space shuttle is diverted to Edwards Air Force Base, CA, because of inclement weather in Florida, the UH-72A aircraft from Fort Irwin, CA, deploy to support those landings. Army personnel are trans- ported daily in the UH-72A to meet their mission requirements.
The rapid acquisition, production, and fielding of the UH-72A Lakota air- craft over the last 3.5 years has allowed the Army to transfer 24 UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft to other missions that
support overseas contingency opera- tions. It has allowed the retirement of aging UH-1 and OH-58A/C helicop- ters by replacing them with modern, capable aircraft. The use of CLS has provided high OA rates while quickly and efficiently allowing stand up of the units receiving the new aircraft. The more than 90 UH-72A aircraft in use by the Army and ARNG have demonstrated their value by complet- ing numerous missions in support of homeland defense, natural disaster relief operations, and test and train- ing support. The LUH Product Office and EADS-NA team are committed to continuing this production, fielding, and support of the UH-72A at the high standards already achieved to maximize the value of the aircraft performing the Army and ARNG missions.
COL L. NEIL THURGOOD is the Project Manager for Utility Helicopters. He holds a B.S. in business manage- ment and a minor in communications from the University of Utah, an M.S. in system acquisition management from the Naval Postgraduate School, an M.S. in strategic studies from Air University, and a Ph.D. in management from Argosy University. Thurgood is certifi ed Level III in program management and contracting and Level I in test and evaluation.
The fi rst of fi ve UH-72A Lakotas for the USN sits in a hangar ready to be delivered. The fi ve aircraft will be used to support the training of rotary-wing test pilots at the USN TPS at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. (U.S. Army photo by Matt Potter, UHPO.)
LTC DAVID BRISTOL is the Product Manager LUH, Utility Helicopters Project Offi ce (UHPO). He holds a B.S. in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle University and an M.A. in acquisition management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Bristol is a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps.
APRIL –JUNE 2010 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
