ARMY AL&T
The UH-72A is named after one of the tribes that make up the Sioux Nation. The Lakota live primarily in southern South Dakota. The Lakota tribe considered that killing an enemy was disrespectful; the noncombat, support role of the UH-72A reflects that philosophy. The Lakota name reflects the intended missions of the aircraft and its contributions to homeland defense, medical care, and natural disaster response.
A Unique, Innovative Solution The UH-72A’s contribution to the history of Army rotary-wing aviation represents an innovative solution to rapidly improve capability and get it into the hands of the Soldier. The Lakota is unique to Army aviation because it is a variant of a commercial aircraft, the Eurocopter EC-145. The UH-72A is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rather than by the Army and is flown and maintained in accordance with FAA requirements. Everything on the aircraft except for the ARC-231 secure radio is commercially available as well and is certified by the FAA. Given that the Lakota is intended to fly in nonhostile and permissive environments, only the
The decision to pursue a commercial solution to the
LUH requirement meant that the program went from concept to approval by the Army in 26 months.
FAA certification allowed a quicker acquisition and fielding of the aircraft that is rapidly retiring the UH-1 and OH-58A/C, which have become increas- ingly expensive to operate and maintain.
The decision to pursue a commercial solution to the LUH requirement meant that the program went from concept to approval by the Army in 26 months. The first aircraft was delivered 5 months after contract award; the First Unit Equipped was the Air Ambulance Detachment at Fort Irwin, CA, 6 months later.
The EC-145 is a modern twin-engine aircraft that performs test and train- ing support, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), counter-drug, natural disaster response, transport, and general support missions. A total of 345 aircraft will be purchased, with 210 ultimately fielded to the ARNG and the rest to the
Active Army. They will serve in the United States, some territories, and Germany.
The aircraft has two basic configura- tions with specific Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) for some missions. The standard configuration carries two pilots and up to six passengers, and the MEDEVAC configuration carries two pilots, up to three passengers, and two litters that are mounted to the floor. The MEDEVAC aircraft also has racks to support the carriage of equipment such as defibrillators, pumps, and intra- venous supplies.
As of June 1, 2010, the Army had received 110 of the Lakotas; 97 were fielded to units, and 4 were designated for the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command for use at Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft are also being fielded to Yakima Training Center
A UH-72A Lakota supports a training mission at Fort Polk. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of Fort Polk.) 37 OCTOBER –DECEMBER 2010
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