US Army exercises $182M option for 34 more EADS choppers
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Contract option for additional UH-72A Lakota helicopters brings total number to date to 312
ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Army has awarded EADS North America a $181.8-million contract option to deliver 34 additional military choppers.
According to EADS, the order for the additional UH-72A Lakota helicopters brings the total number to date to 312.
Army plans call for 347 Lakotas through 2016.
EADS North America has delivered 243 Lakotas from its American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss., where up to five aircraft per month are produced by a workforce that is more than 50 per cent U.S. military veterans.
Aircraft deliveries under the latest option will begin in September 2013, according to EADS.
The contract also includes eight engine inlet barrier filter kits.
EADS says 24 of the aircraft will receive the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion mission equipment package (MEP), which was procured under a separate contract action.
The S&S Battalion MEP expands the Lakota’s capabilities for missions ranging from disaster response to border security operations.
