Lakotas bound for Fort Rucker

Lawmakers have approved the Army's request to reprogram $111 million to pay for 21 more UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters for training at Fort Rucker, Ala., according to multiple sources. (Source: InsideDefense, 08/22/14). The helicopters are made by Airbus Helicopters in Columbus, Miss., which earlier this month signed an contract to lease office space in the former main location at the Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union in Daleville, Ala., not far from Fort Rucker. The space will be occupied Sept. 1. (Source: WTVY-TV, 08/22/14) The Lakotas will replace the Bell TH-67 as the Army’s primary training helicopter at Fort Rucker. The plan is part of a broader plan to streamline the Army’s helicopter force from seven helicopter types to four. (Source: Dothan Eagle, 08/13/14) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 jetliner final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., where it also has an engineering center; Airbus Group owns Vector Aerospace, which has an operation in Andalusia, Ala.