The Marine Corps has selected Airbus’ unmanned version of its UH-72 Lakota helicopter as one of the competitors for the Aerial Logistics Connector prototyping effort, the company said on Tuesday.
Airbus said the first phase of the Marine Corps’ new program aims to demonstrate the unmanned prototype aircraft’s capabilities “through a series of operational experiments.”
“Our unmanned UH-72 logistics connector leverages nearly two decades of U.S. military capability and offers Marines a versatile, affordable and enduring solution to address logistics missions around the globe,” Rob Geckle, CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting the Marine Corps with this latest modernization of the Lakota platform.”
An Airbus U.S. spokesperson told Defense Daily the Other Transactional Authority agreement for the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototyping program was awarded on April 25.
“As part of a Middle Tier of Acquisition prototyping effort, the service has broad discretion over the conduct of the program and how the phased competition is structured, but as an MTA the goal will be for a prototype to be ready to transition to fielding within five years,” the spokesperson said. “Airbus is confident we will be able to satisfy both the prototyping goals and production output needed by the Marine Corps.”
Airbus has conducted previous work on an unmanned H145, according to the spokesperson, noting that work in autonomy will inform the company’s efforts on the UH-72 for the Aerial Logistics Connector program.
“Airbus is developing this iteration of the UH-72 specifically for the Aerial Logistics Connector requirement announced last year. We are leveraging the engineering expertise resident in across Airbus programs to answer this requirement affordably and at low risk,” the Airbus U.S. spokesperson told Defense Daily. “We have not yet flown the unmanned UH-72 aerial logistics connector, but look forward to bringing it to first flight over the course of this effort.”
The Unmanned UH-72 is intended to have a cruise speed of 135 knots, a maximum takeoff weight of over 8.300 pounds and a range above 350 nautical miles, according to Airbus’ description of the prototype capability.
“The UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector takes what the Marines need to the fight. Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations require proven, reliable logistics support. The Airbus UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector is the low risk, affordable solution for the contested logistics problem,” Airbus has said.