EADS North America has received US approval to begin full production of military and commercial helicopters at its American Eurocopter plant in Columbus, Mississippi.
The authorisation paves the way for EADS to manufacture the UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter - a military version of the EC145 that Eurocopter is building under contract for the US Army - in Columbus, where work on the aircraft was previously limited to reassembly. Seven aircraft have been delivered to the army to date.
The approval also allows EADS to start producing the EC145 medium-twin at the US facility. Helicopters destined for North America were previously sent to Columbus in kit form from Eurocopter's Donauworth, Germany production plant.
Source: Flight International
