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Airbus Successfully Completes First Lakota UH-72 Drone Helicopter Demo for US Marine Corps.
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense announced on October 15, 2024, the successful completion of the first demonstration of the Lakota UH-72 drone helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps, conducted at Marine Corps Air Station New River and Camp Lejeune. This demonstration showcased the capabilities of the Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) system, designed to enhance logistical support in dispersed and challenging environments. As an autonomous platform, the Lakota UH-72 ensures a continuous supply flow without relying on traditional transportation methods, which are often vulnerable or limited.
Airbus Lakota UH-72 Drone Helicopter (Picture source: Airbus)
The UH-72B Lakota, central to this demonstration, proved its capability to transport specialized cargo, meeting the essential logistical requirements set by the Marine Corps. The demonstration also allowed Airbus to present its approach to supporting the ALC system, a key element for ensuring rapid and efficient logistical support in complex environments. Rob Geckle, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "Integrating warfighter feedback at this phase of the contract ensures we are meeting all the requirements and gives us invaluable insights to deliver the right capabilities to the U.S. Marine Corps." This close integration of operational feedback ensures that Airbus remains aligned with the operational needs of the U.S. military, further strengthening the development of the ALC system.
This demonstration is part of the Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) program for rapid prototyping, an initiative designed to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge technologies to U.S. armed forces. Under this program, Airbus is tasked with providing prototypes that can be tested in real-world operational scenarios, offering a glimpse into the future of aerial logistics for the U.S. Marine Corps. This phase allows the Marine Corps to evaluate the aircraft’s performance and identify necessary modifications, particularly for its autonomous operations and the ability to carry specific payloads. Future demonstrations throughout 2024 and 2025 will provide further insights into the aircraft's performance and potential improvements to meet evolving Marine Corps needs. The results of these demonstrations will guide future acquisition decisions, including the possibility of scaling up prototype production to fully meet military requirements.
Based on the UH-72B variant of the Lakota, first delivered to the Army in 2021, the UH-72 drone shares many components with the manned version. Integrated improvements include a Fenestron-style tail rotor, a simplified main rotor head with five blades instead of four, and enhanced digitally-controlled engines, which facilitate maintenance and enhance lift performance. These features are crucial for enhancing the capabilities of the UH-72 as a logistics platform.
The ULC (Unmanned Logistics Connector) version of the UH-72 is designed to achieve a cruising speed of 135 knots and a range of at least 350 nautical miles, with a maximum payload capacity of approximately 4,000 pounds. Rear clamshell doors and an open cabin design, already features of the manned UH-72s, also facilitate cargo transport, either internally or slung under the fuselage. Airbus anticipates that this version will have a degree of autonomy from the start, with capabilities expected to expand and evolve over time.
The UH-72 ULC also aims to incorporate basic autonomous capabilities, such as automatically following predefined routes, and more advanced capabilities to dynamically change routes or respond to sudden threats, are planned to enhance logistics in highly contested areas.
In May 2024, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Airbus U.S. Space & Defense a Phase I agreement under the Other Transactional Authority (OTA). This agreement, issued by the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium, is based on Airbus’ unmanned UH-72 logistics connector concept. This unmanned system is an evolution of the proven UH-72 Lakota platform, designed to deliver enhanced logistics capabilities in complex and dispersed environments. The ALC program is part of a broader effort within the Department of Defense (DoD) to strengthen logistical support in dispersed environments, a critical capability in peer or near-peer conflicts. The Marine Corps’ focus on expeditionary advanced base operations underscores the need for agile and effective logistical solutions, which the ALC program aims to provide.
With future demonstrations expected to reveal more about the UH-72B Lakota's capabilities, Airbus is positioning itself as a key player in providing the U.S. military with the logistics solutions it needs to remain adaptable in future conflicts. The success of these initial demonstrations places the UH-72B at the forefront of the ALC effort, and as testing continues, this aircraft will play a key role in shaping the future of logistics for U.S. Marine Corps operations.
The Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) system is crucial for the armed forces due to its capacity to improve logistical support in dispersed environments. In modern conflicts where units are often deployed in remote areas with limited infrastructure, this system ensures a constant flow of supplies without needing traditional transport methods, which can be limited or vulnerable. Additionally, the ALC, as an autonomous platform, reduces risks for personnel, offering operational flexibility without the constraints of human engagement. This ability to operate autonomously, particularly in contested areas, ensures rapid and effective logistical support while minimizing risks in hostile environments where enemy forces have advanced anti-aircraft systems or weapons.
This system also meets the growing needs of expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) strategies, particularly for the U.S. Marine Corps. Units deployed in these areas require constant resupply, and the ALC ensures the sustainability of their operations. Additionally, the system's continuous evolution through tests and demonstrations allows it to be adapted to future operational requirements, ensuring flexibility in the face of tomorrow's challenges. Furthermore, the use of this unmanned system results in long-term cost reductions while allowing for increased efficiency to support extended operations on the ground.