EADS to show off helos to U.S. Army

EADS North America will carry out voluntary “high altitude” flight demonstrations of its AAS-72X+ and EC145 helicopters within a couple of weeks in hopes of garnering a contract to replace the Bell OH-58 for the U.S. Army’s Aerial Scout program. EADS says it plans to “prove the superior capabilities” of its helicopters, an official said. If EADS wins the renewed contract completion, the helicopter would be built at American Eurocopter in Columbus, Miss., but the mission systems would be provided by Lockheed Martin. Source: Flight Global, Sept. 26, 2012.