A UH-72A Lakota helicopter specifically configured during manufacture by Airbus Group as an initial entry trainer aircraft has been delivered to the U.S. Army.

The aircraft will join seven Lakotas at Fort Rucker in Alabama that had been modified previously to the training configuration, and which will become part of a Lakota initial entry trainer fleet of 187 new configuration and modified aircraft.

The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered 411 Lakotas from Airbus, with 400 for service with the Army. Airbus said that with the latest delivery, 332 completed aircraft have been delivered by Airbus Helicopters Inc.'s production facility in Columbus, Miss.

"For a program to succeed in the current budget environment, affordability and reliable program performance must accompany mission flexibility," said Allan McArtor, Airbus Group chairman and chief executive officer. "Since awarding the contract in 2006, the Army has managed this program unfailingly on cost and on schedule, and we're proud to see that record continue as we deliver the latest configuration of this versatile, multi-mission aircraft."

"We're making the necessary important investments to ensure a successful transition of the Lakota into training operations at Fort Rucker," said Marc Paganini, president and chief executive of Airbus Helicopters Inc. "We're honored that future Army aviators will begin their flying careers at the controls of the Lakota."

The UH-72 Lakota is a twin-engine aircraft with a maximum speed of 167 miles per hour and a range of 426 miles. It is used as a scout aircraft and as a trainer, and is also suitable as a transport/cargo helicopter, for search and rescue missions and border security.

StandardAero buys military engine MRO company
Scottsdale, Ariz. (UPI) Mar 27, 2015 - StandardAero of Arizona is establishing a European Support Center for Pratt & Whitney F100 and future F135 engines used on military aircraft.

Establishment of the center comes through the acquisition of DutchAero Services from GE/Avio and the rebranding of DAR as StandardAero Defense Services Europe.

Terms and conditions of the acquisition of Netherlands-based DAR, which provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services from its facility at Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands, were not disclosed. But StandardAero said the center will be its second MRO operation in the country and will serve as a partner in a Public Private Partnership for the maintenance needs of the Royal Netherland Air Force and other military customers.

"Currently, we work with StandardAero on T56 engines and are excited to have them as a partner to help us with the maintenance needs for F100 and the future F135 engines," said Eric Schevenhoven, the Royal Netherland Air Force commander at the Woensdrecht logistics center.

The Netherlands is one of three countries in Europe authorized to conduct MRO services and upgrades ropean nations authorized to perform maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrades by the F135 Joint Program Office. DAS is the partner for the PPP in qualifying for the F135 MRO.

StandardAero said it will align its acquisition with its defense services facilities in Texas and Canada.

"We're excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to serve the large existing market of F-16 aircraft powered by F100 engines," the company said. "Our ability to position the company as a key partner with Woensdrecht Logistic Center for leading the depot into the F-35 Lightning aircraft engine MRO is strategically important as we grow our overall military engine platforms and customer base."

StandardAero is a subsidiary of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.