The U.S. Army has awarded Airbus with a $27.8 million contract to upgrade the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion Mission Equipment Package.
Upgrades to the MEP 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 U.S. Space and Defense.
MEP equipped UH-72As are designed to execute National Guard operations across several missions including domestic operations, counter-drug and border security.
The Army contract will retrofit up to 50 Security & Support Battalion aircraft deployed throughout the nation. There are currently 107 in the fleet. These aircraft will be modified at Airbus’ Columbus, Mississippi helicopter production facility, where over 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota, based on the H145, have been delivered to the Army since 2006.
The contract will be managed by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, operating under a Special Security Agreement.