EADS statement regarding proposed UH-72A Lakota program reduction

Herndon, Virginia - EADS North America Chairman and CEO Sean O’Keefe issued the following statement regarding the proposed reduction of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter program from the 41 aircraft remaining to be purchased down to just ten:

“During times of budgetary pressure, an extremely successful program like the Lakota – with its demonstrated low cost and unbroken record of on-time and on-cost deliveries – ought to be the last program slated for reduction.

“Much of the unprecedented success of Lakota comes from the fact that over half of the workforce are U.S. military veterans. These dedicated men and women help all members of the Lakota team remember who we are working for and why.

“Their military service underpins and is reflected in our deep personal commitment to the Lakota program. Accordingly, we intend to fight for the opportunity to deliver the full program complement of Lakota helicopters to our men and women in uniform.”

Manufactured in Columbus, Miss., the Lakota is the Army’s newest helicopter, with the lowest cost to fly, own and operate of any U.S. military helicopter in production. Every Lakota – including 249 aircraft for the Army and National Guard, and an additional five for the U.S. Navy – has been delivered on budget and on or ahead of schedule.

About EADS North America: EADS North America is the U.S.-based operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and related services. EADS contributes more than $14 billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports over 225,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers. EADS North America, headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems.

About American Eurocopter: American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer that produces, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, and is an affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world. American Eurocopter’s product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facilities are located in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss., that produces the UH-72A for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter program.

About EADS: EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.


Source: EADS News - 11 April 2013

Photo: The US Army Aviation EADS UH-72A Lakota Helicopter. 249 UH-72A delivered to US Army to date (Photo by Chuck Cannon - uh-72a.com)


(11.04.2013)