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AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter
 
 
 
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
 
Description

The AAS-72X, an armed derivative of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter manufactured by the company’s American Eurocopter business unit, has completed the majority of its militarization requirements in a company-funded development effort that began in 2009. Developed from a family of proven multi-mission helicopters, it is being employed worldwide in armed reconnaissance, MEDEVAC, law enforcement and other utility missions. The AAS-72X will leverage the UH-72A Lakota, which is being fielded in increasingly large numbers for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter mission. EADS North America’s AAS-72X is a low risk, highly capable and best-value solution to rapidly meeting the U.S. Army’s capability gap in aerial reconnaissance and security during combat operations in current and future conflicts. It is based on the popular Eurocopter EC145 commercial rotary-wing airframe, which also serves as the platform for EADS North America’s highly successful UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter – which the company is delivering to U.S. Army and Army National Guard units.
The AAS-72X will be produced at American Eurocopter’s Columbus, Mississippi facility where UH-72A Lakotas currently are assembled, building upon a commitment to invest in the U.S. economy and create high-value American jobs. EADS North America and its industry team of American Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin have committed to independently fund and develop three AAS-72X helicopters to demonstrate the performance, capabilities and maturity of this rotary-wing aircraft for the U.S. Army’s Armed Aerial Scout mission.
These helicopter will ensure the AAS-72X provides a fully capable, compliant Armed Aerial Scout solution for America’s warfighters at the earliest possible date.

 
Variants
No variants at this time
 
Technical Data
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Design
The AAS-72X modern design and modular weapons systems architecture ensures the lowest life cycle costs, maintainability and maximum operational reliability, resulting in high operational readiness rates to meet changing mission requirements over time.
Armament and flight equipment
TDA 1 is being used to validate the AAS-72X’s ability to meet the U.S. Army’s armed aerial scout mission requirements. It is shown here on the flight line at Nashville International Airport between flight demonstrations for the AAAA annual conference. One of the two multi-purpose pylons on TDA 1 is equipped with the M260 seven-shot rocket launcher, which fires 2.75-inch folding fin aerial rockets. The pylons are designed to accommodate the full range of precision and unguided munitions expected to be required by the Army for the Armed Scout mission.
The AAS-72X can accommodate a full range of chin-mounted turrets. Equipped on TDA 1 is a chin-mounted sensor with FLIR (forward-looking infrared), television and targeting capability. EADS North America’s UH-72A Lakota, which is derived from the same airframe as the AAS-72X, currently is being equipped with a chin-mounted sensor on Lakotas to be deployed with Army National Guard Security and Support Battalions (S&S Battalions).
Propulsion
The EADS North America AAS-72X provides powerful twin-engine (same as fo the EC-145 Eurocopter) performance and survivability, particularly in the demanding high/hot operating environments called for by today’s Army requirements. The EC145 is equipped with two powerful and reliable Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines which provide outstanding performance and vital power reserves in OEI scenarios. The use of the variable rotorspeed and torque matching system (VARTOMS), known from the predecessor model BK117 C-1, enhances overall flying comfort, and makes the EC145 the quietest helicopter in its class at 6.7 decibels below ICAO noise level. In addition to environmental and economical aspects, the rotor system together with high TBO gearbox and airframe components offer both low maintenance costs and high in-service time for the helicopter due to the minimal scheduled maintenance required.
Combat use
The AAS-72X’s small footprint facilitates its transportation by C-17 airlifters, with only minimum reconfiguration required upon the helicopter’s arrival in the operating area. Its large, unobstructed main cabin makes the AAS-72X easily reconfigurable for maximum mission flexibility. The helicopter’s large sliding side and rear clamshell doors, along with its high-set main and tail rotors, provide unparalleled safety, access and space utilization – allowing loading/unloading of armament, troops, cargo and MEDEVAC patients while the rotors are turning.
 
Specifications
 
Type
Armed helicopter
Country user
Prototype
Country producer
United States
Crew
2 pilots
Engine
2 × Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshafts, 738 shp (551 kW) each
Speed
Maximum speed: 269 km/h
Range
685 km maximum
Weight
1,792 kg empty
Armament
Rocket launcher or machine gun pod
Dimension
Length: 13.03 m; Rotor diameter: 11. m;
Height: 3.45 m
Details View
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
 
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
AAS-72X Armed Aerial Scout helicopter technical data sheet specifications intelligence description information identification pictures photos images video United States American US USAF Air Force defence industry military technology EADS North America Lockheed Martin
 
Pictures - Video
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