Airbus Wins $141 Million Army Lakota Helicopter Contract
Anna Davis08/15/2026
Contract Award Defense
HigherGov
The U.S. Army announced it has awarded Airbus Helicopters a contract to procure up to 12 Lakota UH-72B helicopters and related equipment, with a total cumulative face value of $140.7 million (about $141 million) through 2030. The firm-fixed-price contract will be performed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
Work to be Completed Under the Lakota UH-72B Contract
Under contract W58RGZ-26-C-0020, Airbus Helicopters will provide the Army with up to 12 Lakota UH-72B helicopters, also identified as the MBB-BK 117 D3. The procurement includes aircraft equipment, system installations and program management support.
The required equipment includes jettisonable cockpit doors, which are designed to provide an additional means of exiting the aircraft. Airbus will also install air-conditioning systems in the helicopters.
The contract further covers engine inlet barrier filters. These filters help protect helicopter engines by limiting the ingestion of dust, sand and other airborne debris during operations.
Program management is included in the award, supporting the coordination and oversight required to deliver the aircraft and associated equipment. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2030.
Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, serves as the contracting activity.
Airbus Helicopters’ Army Contracting History
Airbus Helicopters is based in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company manufactures and supports military and civil rotorcraft, including the Lakota helicopter family used by the U.S. Army.
The company has received other Army awards related to the UH-72 platform. These include contract W58RGZ-21-C-0010, valued at approximately $3.2 million, for contractor field service and logistics representatives supporting the Royal Thai Army’s four UH-72A Lakota aircraft.
This award was disclosed by the DoW in its daily press release. Additional contract details will be available on HigherGov once disclosed by the government in approximately 90 days under W58RGZ26C0020 after the contract is formally disclosed by the government.
