Eurocopter’s CEO pronounced a solid confidence in its helicopter-building plant in Mississippi despite the American government’s uncertainty to develop new reconnaissance helicopters for the Army. In 2006, American Eurocopter landed a $3 billion contract from the U.S. Army to build 352 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters that tripled the size of the Columbus, Miss., plant. CEO Guilaume Faury says the company is “optimistic” about its American facility and the ability to win new Defense Department contracts despite sequestration cuts in 2014. Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS, and Lockheed have partnered to offer a new 'armed aerial scout' variant of the Mississippi-built Lakota; but due to budget pressures, weapons programs have repeatedly been delayed. However, the Army issued a "request for information" about the program which is seen as a sign that DoD officials were hoping to start funding the new variant. Source: Reuters, Sept. 3, 2013.
[Gulf Coast/Golden Triangle Note: An EADS North America official is optimistic that U.S. lawmakers will reinstate funding to extend the UH-72 through 2014, which would be the Columbus plant's 10th anniversary.]
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