Airbus has been awarded a (US) $27.8 million contract to upgrade 50 UH-72A Lakota helicopters used by the US National Guard.     

The upgrades will expand the UH-72A Lakota’s capabilities to conduct day and night operations by providing an advanced moving map, enhanced digital interfaces, new monitors, an airborne mission management system, and other system improvements. 

“This award provides pilots with significantly increased functionality and capability to carry out today’s demanding missions, further enhancing the Lakota’s value as an ISR asset for the National Guard,” said Scott Tumpak, vice president of military line of business for Airbus US Space and Defence.

The mission equipment package for the UH-72As is specifically designed to execute National Guard operations including domestic operations, counter-drug, and border security.

The Army contract will retrofit up to 50 security and support battalion aircraft deployed throughout the United States. There are currently 107 in the fleet.

These aircraft will be modified at Airbus’ Columbus, Mississippi helicopter production facility, where more than 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota, based on the H145, have been delivered to the US Army since 2006.

The contract will be managed by Airbus US Space and Defence operated under a special security agreement.