Armed Aerial Scout 72X’s Latest Evolution is Revealed


A new variant of the Armed Aerial Scout 72X combat helicopter – which would be manufactured by American Eurocopter at its Columbus, Mississippi facility – has been unveiled. Called the AAS­72X+, this improved­performance aircraft – along with the AAS­72X – are being offered for the U.S. Army’s armed scout mission requirements by EADS North America. It is an armed derivative of the U.S. Army’s UH­72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter, which is built at Columbus by American Eurocopter, with more than 210 delivered to date. The AAS­72X+ variant is based on the commercial Eurocopter


EC­145 T2 rotorcraft, which incorporates more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines with dual channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), a Fenestron tail rotor for improved anti­torque, an upgraded transmission, the Helionix glass cockpit and avionics suite, and a 4­axis autopilot system. These elements of the AAS­72X+ will offer the Army greater power, range, endurance and payload capacity when operating in 6,000 foot altitude and 95 degree environments, commonly known as “6K/95 high/hot” conditions – the most demanding environment for rotary­wing operations. The AAS­72X+’s performance also will exceed the Army’s previ­ ously published 6K/95 endurance requirement of 2 hours and 12 minutes plus a 20 minute fuel reserve, while carrying a 2,800 pound useful payload for mission equipment and crew. It builds on the three Armed Aerial Scout Technical Demonstrator Aircraft (TDA) already developed, tested and flown, using EADS North America’s own research and develop­ ment investment. The AAS­72X or AAS­72X+ could be built and delivered at a cost competitive with upgrades planned for the Vietnam­era OH­58 Kiowa Warrior and fielded to Army units as early as 2016. ◆


5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36