WASHINGTON (December 11, 2025) – Airbus U.S. Space and Defense announced the UH-72 Lakota fleet at Fort Rucker surpassed one million flight hours supporting the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) training program for new Army aviators.

“Our aircraft continues to prove its value to the U.S. Army and achieving this milestone reinforces why the Army chose the Lakota – superior safety, training versatility, highest availability across the fleet and lowest cost to maintain,” said Didier Cormary, Vice President and Head of Military Helicopter and Uncrewed Systems for Airbus U.S Space and Defense. “Our success is a testament to the many U.S. military veterans who built the helicopter and take pride in supporting the aviators who serve our nation at home and abroad.”

Lakota became the primary training aircraft in 2015 at Fort Rucker when the Army decided to move from the single-engine trainer to a modern, twin-engine aircraft that more closely resembles the flight characteristics of an operational aircraft.

Airbus’ partnership with the Army has produced more than 10,000 IERW graduates while also providing the U.S. National Guard with a versatile rotary-wing capability suitable for counter- narcotic, border security, and disaster response missions. Currently, there are 225 Lakota aircraft assigned to at Fort Rucker in support of IERW training.

The Army’s $2.2B investment in the Lakota fleet has yielded significant safety achievements.

According to a FY24 U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center five-year Army Aviation Class A Mishap Review, the UH-72 has the best safety record per 100,000 flight hours across the Army fleet.

Currently, the Army, Navy, and Army National Guard units use Lakota helicopters to perform essential training and real-world missions year-round across 49 U.S. states and territories.

About Airbus U.S. Space & Defense

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, a trusted U.S. government partner, delivers industry-leading solutions for satellite, geospatial intelligence, cybersecurity, secure communications, space exploration, military helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, and fixed-wing aircraft. We offer state-of-the-art technologies, extensive research and development, and subject matter expertise to provide the U.S. Department of Defense, National Security Agencies, and Space-focused partners with optimal solutions for their critical missions.