American Eurocopter plans to retain its 52-acre headquarters andmain facility at 2701 Forum Dr. in Grand Prairie. The inboundtenant is the American subsidiary of the world's largest helicoptermanufacturer and EADS North America, the world's second-largestaerospace and defense company. And, the new Army contract isunderwriting the expansion, both in Texas and Columbus, MS, wherethe manufacturer has a 40-acre production facility.

American Eurocopter announced Aug. 29 that it receivedauthorization to produce two more rotary-wing helicopters formilitary and civilian use. The EC145 model is becoming the aircraftof choice for medical airlift, law enforcement and corporate userswhile the UH-72A Lakota is the US Army's new light-utilityhelicopter. The first Lakota delivered at the Columbus facility inlate August.

The Army contract calls for up to 322 Lakotas over 10 years tosupply a special fleet for use primarily in the states by USHomeland Security, medical evacuations, passengers/logisticstransport and drug interdiction missions. Many are destined forArmy National Guard units, which will be retiring older helicoptersand freeing up larger rotary wings for reassignment, according toAmerican Eurocopter's press release.