aviation restructure initiative, Fort Rucker's fleet of TH-67 training helicopters will be replaced with 187 UH-72s, comprising 106 purpose-built trainers and 81 existing versions that will be modified. In 2018, the 1–376th AVN BN was deployed to Germany with UH-72A Lakotas supporting MEDEVAC missions at Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr military bases. The Lakotas took over the mission from 214th Aviation Battalion Black Hawks; this is the first deployment of the Lakota outside the US. Export On 7 June 2013, Thailand requested the sale of six UH-72A Lakotas with associated equipment, training, and support for an estimated cost of $77 million. On 9 October 2013, the Thai government approved $55 million in funds to support the Royal Thai Army's acquisition of six UH-72A helicopters from 2013 to 2015. On 28 March 2014, the Thai Army awarded a $34 million contract to Airbus Helicopter for six UH-72As, fitted with a mission equipment package including the AN/ARC-231 airborne radio terminal; deliveries were to begin by April 2015. By November 2015, the six helicopters had been delivered. On 29 September 2014, Congress was notified of a Thailand request for the sale of another nine UH-72s, related equipment, and support. Variants UH-72A Lakota An unarmed utility military version of the EC 145. UH-72B Lakota Upgrade of the UH-72A; this configuration is based on the upgraded civilian H145. The model has a Fenestron tail rotor, five-bladed main rotor, more powerful engines, enhanced controls, and the Airbus Helionix avionics suite. Deliveries to the ARNG began in September 2021. AAS-72X A proposed armed version of the UH-72 for the US Army's Armed Aerial Scout OH-58D replacement program offered by EADS and Lockheed Martin. AAS-72X+ An armed military version of the Eurocopter EC145T2 was also proposed for the Armed Aerial Scout program. It was equipped with more powerful engines with an extra 200 shaft horsepower each, a fenestron shrouded tail rotor, and a fully digital glass cockpit. Operators Royal Thai Army United States Army United States Navy Test Pilot School Specifications (UH-72A) See also References External links EADS North America UH-72A site US Army UH-72 Lakota page AMerican Eurocopter Armed Scout 645 official site LUH Program on GlobalSecurity.org LUH competition contenders "Army's aviation restructuring not to affect civil helicopter market" Rotor & Wing article Airbus Helicopters aircraft Military helicopters 2000s United States helicopters Twin-turbine helicopters Aircraft first flown in 2006