Airbus Helicopters Awarded $141M Army Lakota UH-72B Contract

The U.S. Army announced it has awarded Airbus Helicopters a contract for up to 12 UH-72B Lakota helicopters, with a cumulative face value of $140.7 million (about $141 million) through Dec. 31, 2030. The firm-fixed-price contract will be performed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, over approximately four years.

UH-72B Lakota Helicopter Procurement Details

The $115.4 million award action covers MBB-BK 117 D3 aircraft configured as UH-72B Lakotas, along with jettisonable cockpit doors, installation of air-conditioning systems, engine inlet barrier filters and program management. The Army obligated aircraft procurement funds at award under contract W58RGZ-26-C-0020.

The UH-72 is the Army’s light utility helicopter, used for missions that do not require higher-end combat aircraft such as the UH-60 Black Hawk or AH-64 Apache. The fleet has supported institutional training, medical evacuation, domestic emergency response, counterdrug activities and other Army National Guard and general utility missions.

The UH-72B is based on a newer H145-family configuration than the earlier UH-72A aircraft that have served across the Army since the program’s initial deliveries in 2006. The additional equipment included in the award will establish the configuration of the new aircraft, although the award notice did not identify their intended units or specific mission assignments.

Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal solicited one bid through the internet and received one bid. The contracting activity expects performance to be completed by the end of 2030.

Airbus’ Lakota Program Role

Grand Prairie, Texas-based Airbus Helicopters has supplied the Lakota airframe throughout the program’s production history, beginning when the company operated under the EADS North America and American Eurocopter names. The Army originally acquired the UH-72A as a military derivative of a commercial helicopter to replace aging UH-1 and OH-58 aircraft and subsequently expanded its role to include rotary-wing flight training.

Airbus has also received related Army work supporting Lakota fleets. One prior contract provided contractor field and logistics service representatives for four Royal Thai Army UH-72A aircraft under contract W58RGZ-21-C-0010.

This award was disclosed by the DoW in its daily press release. Additional contract details will be available on HigherGov in approximately 90 days under W58RGZ26C0020 after the contract is formally disclosed by the government.