Airbus Helicopters Inc (www.helicopters.airbus.com) — based in Grand Prarie, Texas — has received a contract worth about $273 million for 35 additional UH-72A Lakotas for the United States Army.

The order is in two parts: 17 UH-72A Lakotas for the Initial Entry Rotary Wing mission at the Fort Rucker army post in Alabama; and 18 for the Observer/Controller mission at the Army’s Combat Training Centers.

Chris Emerson, president and CEO of Airbus Helicopters Inc, said: “We are proud that the US Army has continued to rely on us to provide this versatile capability for its aviation fleet.

"We have an unbroken record of on-cost and high-quality programme excellence and support for this aircraft.”

Airbus builds the Lakota at its Columbus (Mississippi) facility. Since the Lakota programme started in 2005, Airbus has delivered more than 412 of these twin-engine light utility helicopters; they are used for a wide range of military operations, including border patrol, Medevac, troop and VIP transport, light cargo and Homeland Security.

The UH-72A is a key component of the Army’s Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI) and the primary rotary-wing trainer for the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker.

Lakotas have been used extensively over the last few months, responding to wildfires in California, plus Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.