HERNDON, Va., May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army this week received its 300th UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter from Airbus Group -- on time and on budget.
Airbus Group Inc, formerly EADS North America, said the twin-engine aircraft was built at its factory in Columbus, Miss., where the Army's program manager for utility aircraft accepted the helicopter.
"Airbus has an established record of on time or ahead of schedule aircraft deliveries," said Col. Tom Todd. "Their Columbus facility has recorded a nine-year record of excellence."
The UH-72 Lakota is a militarized version of the EC145 by Eurocopter, which was an EADS company. It has a cruise speed of 153 miles per hour and a range of 426 miles. The U.S. Army contracted for procurement of the aircraft in 2006 and has received Lakotas in seven variants.
The 300th Lakota delivered this week was in the security and support configuration for missions such as disaster response and border security. It will be flown by the Missouri National Guard.
The Security and support configuration includes an electro-optical and infrared sensor, searchlight, digital video recorder, secure data downlink and moving map.
Baseline UH-72A carries a price tag of $5.5 million, the company said.
