U.S. Army Takes More Lakotas

American Eurocopter UH-72A Lakotas are being delivered to the U.S. Army at a rate of two per month from the production facility in Columbus, Miss. The helicopters were first delivered in December 2006 at a rate of one per month. The Lakota was first put into service at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. by the Air ambulance detachment. The Mississippi National Guard will be the first guard unit to receive the Lakotas in 2008. The Army has contracted for 322 Lakotas for use within the U.S. on homeland security operations, medical evacuation, passenger/logistics transportation and drug interdiction missions. Delivery rate for the UH-72A will increase to three monthly in early 2008, ultimately rising to as many as five per month in 2009. For related news