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The Week in Germany: Business and Technology

December 15, 2006

EADS North America Begins Delivery of UH-72A Light Utility Helicopters to the U.S. Army

The UH-72A fulfills all of the Army's requirements for speed, range, endurance, and overall performance.

EADS North America on Monday delivered its first Mississippi-made helicopter to the U.S. Army, an important milestone for the company marking the beginning of a major defense program.

The first UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter was received by the Army at a naming ceremony in Colombus, Miss., where the twin-engine helicopter is being produced. At the same time the Army also unveiled the UH-72A's official name: Lakota, which is a Native American Indian tribe of the Great Sioux Nation. This continues the service's tradition of naming its helicopters after Native American tribes.

EADS North America, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., earlier this year won a potential $2 billion contract to supply more than 300 helicopters over time. The helicopter contract is the company's first win as a primary contractor in the United States.

German Ambassador to the United States Klaus Scharioth, who attended the ceremony, called the event a "remarkable milestone" due to the fact that for first time a major piece of equipment of German origin had been sold to the United States armed forces.

Ralph Crosby, Jr., EADS North America's chairman and CEO meanwhile cited the Army's immediate need for the new helicopters: "We are proud to provide the UH-72A months ahead of schedule, an accomplishment that reflects our decision to locate production in Mississippi and our prior investment in this program's success."

The Mississippi factory of EADS NA's American Eurocopter business unit is undergoing a major expansion to be completed in the fall of 2007 to support the UH-72A's production, assembly and delivery. Employment at the American Eurocopter facility has grown steadily since the facility was opened in 2004.

The large cockpit and cabin windows provide excellent visibility, Photos: EADS NA

The helicopters will be used on logistical and support missions within the United States. They will primarily be assigned to the Army National Guard for homeland security and disaster response missions.

The UH-72A Lakota helicopter contract expands upon EADS' 20-year heritage as a helicopter supplier to U.S. homeland security and law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, and numerous state and local law enforcement agencies across the United States. The Lakota is based on the EADS-produced civilian Eurocopter EC145, which has myriad commercial customers including STAT MedEvac.

EADS NA is the North American operation of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. With 11 operating companies in 32 cities
and 17 states, EADS NA and EADS contribute over $8.5 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support
more than 174,000 American jobs.

Links:

The Lakota

U.S. Army official statement

EADS North America

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