EADS Moves Production to the U.S.

The company delivered a UH-72A as the "first final assembly line aircraft from the production facility at Columbus, Mississippi." EADS is moving to transition the UH-72A's full production to the American Eurocopter facility in Columbus. The company is using a three-phased approach: light assembly line, full assembly line and production line, and this UH-72A is considered a "first" because it was the first Lakota to come off the "full assembly line" phase. It was the 41st Lakota delivered to the Army, but completed seven of the 14 assembly production stations, including the installation of flight instruments, engines, tail boom, testing and approvals at the company's U.S. facility. EADS North America has been delivering UH-72As since late 2006. These helicopters are used for medevac, VIP and other operations with the U.S. Army and Army National Guard units. Lakota production is currently averaging three to four helicopter completions per month, with the eventual peak capacity of five aircraft per month. For related news