This Medevac Helicopter Is the Newest to Enter the US Army

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The UH-72 Lakota is the newest aircraft to enter the U.S. Army
• It typically is used for missions like medevac, search and rescue, disaster relief, and even some homeland security operations
• The Lakota is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines that allow for a top speed of nearly 170 mph
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The UH-72 Lakota is one of the newest aircraft to enter the U.S. Army. It was first introduced in 2007 and is primarily designated for non-combat roles. Although the U.S. Army is not mainly known for its aircraft, the Lakota plays a series of important roles throughout Army operations. (These are the combat helicopters most widely used by world militaries. )

Typically, the UH-72 Lakota is used for missions like medevac, search and rescue, disaster relief, and even some homeland security operations. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters and has gradually replaced older aircraft like the UH-1 Iroquois and the OH-58 Kiowa.

Powering the Lakota is two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines that allow for a top speed of nearly 170 mph. Its maximum takeoff weight is roughly 7,903 pounds and it can carry up to nine troops, or two stretchers and medical crew, in addition to its two-person crew.

One of the main advantages of the UH-72 is its cost-effectiveness. With lower operating costs compared to the attack helicopters in the fleet, it provides an ideal solution for the Army’s domestic needs. Accordingly, it is the newest aircraft to be adopted by the U.S. Army, embracing economy as part of its operational efficiency. (This is every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. )

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the aircraft within the Army's fleet. To identify the newest aircraft in the U.S. Army, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft chronologically. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, top speed, and armament.

Here is a closer look at the newest U.S. Army aircraft currently in service: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the combat aircraft used by the U.S. Army provides insight into joint military capabilities and defense strategies. Also knowing what the U.S. has in its arsenal further explains its military capabilities.

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