EADS Selects Suppliers to Outfit UH-72a Lakota for S&S Missions

(Arlington, Virginia and Grand Prairie, Texas, June 11, 2009) -- EADS North America and its subsidiary, American Eurocopter, have selected the industry team that will provide components and sub-systems for the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter Security and Support (S&S) mission equipment package (MEP).

The UH-72A in the S&S configuration will provide Army National Guard units the flexibility to respond to a wide variety of Homeland Security, Homeland Defense and civil law enforcement support missions. The mission equipment package consists of an electro-optical infrared sensor, data communications suite, moving map display, cabin and cockpit screens, a digital video recorder and a searchlight.


Companies selected to provide key components and sub-systems for the S&S mission equipment package are:

-- LCX Systems; Sarasota, Fla.
-- Sierra Nevada Corporation; Sparks, Nev.
-- Ranger Rotorcraft Group; Fort Worth, Texas
-- MARK IV Luminator; Plano, Texas
-- L-3 Communications; New York, N.Y.

The Army plans to equip 200 National Guard Lakota's with the S&S mission equipment package.

"This is a significant step for the Lakota industry team as we continue to meet the evolving operational requirements of the UH-72A and our Army customer," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., EADS North America chairman and CEO. "The addition of these five experienced aerospace companies further strengthens our proven industry team that is delivering helicopters to the Army on schedule and on budget.

Source : European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (Paris: EAD.PA)