I am flying a UH-72 Lakota, a light multi-purpose helicopter of the U.S. Army. Today, we'll be testing this with the South Carolina National Guard. From low-altitude mountain flying and aerial surveillance to the ultimate rescue scenario, where I'll be hooked to a winch to experience the life-saving missions this platform supports. Get ready, because this. is officially licensed!

For over twenty years, the Lakota has been the primary light multi-purpose helicopter of the U.S. Army. Start. Seven eight, seven eight, seven eight. It is used for pilot training, disaster relief support, and domestic defense. With nearly five hundred active-duty aircraft, Lakota is the third-largest squadron in the Army. But now, there is a new generation of this platform, building on the success of the legendary UH-72 Alpha with the new, state-of-the-art UH-72 Bravo. The target altitude is two thousand. At first glance, the transition from the Alpha version to Bravo seems quite minor.

Add another main rotor here, and a conical tail rotor over there. But behind those visible changes, Bravo demonstrates a significant leap in capability. And speaking of this, I'd like to introduce you to someone. He is a Fifth Lieutenant, an extremely experienced pilot in the South Carolina Guard. He will help us delve deeper into exploring the amazing operational capabilities of this helicopter. Now, to clarify the context, I think it's necessary to reiterate that the Lakota was actually developed from a civilian version of this helicopter, which had been flying for decades before the Army took delivery. So I'm quite curious, from your perspective,

what advantages does that offer the National Guard in terms of overall readiness and reliability? In the civilian sector, an aircraft only becomes profitable when it takes off. Therefore, keeping it always ready to fly is a major motivation. Its systems are simple and reliable. Your unit at SC was one of the first to receive the new Bravo, right? The Army currently has only about 18 of these vehicles. That's right. Well, one of the biggest factors in that is that we have a very strong rescue program, and we're stationed near mountainous areas.

Therefore, we needed an aircraft with slightly higher performance than what the Alpha model could offer. And, well, it has proven to be an extremely good platform for that task. This is the Bravo model, well, the latest version of the Lakota line. And the biggest difference you'll notice is the main rotor system. With five blades, it allows the aircraft to carry a little more payload, and it also makes the flight much smoother. Moving further back, the next major change is the tail rotor. The Fenestron's tail design makes it more efficient, and the airframe also reduces noise significantly.

Now let's talk about the engine. This is a truly massive upgrade over the previous Alpha model, with up to twenty-five percent more power. It offers a huge advantage when lifting heavy loads while suspended in mid-air, eliminating the effect of ground impact, making hoisting operations significantly safer. The quick start capability allowed us to run both motors with extremely impressive performance. In an emergency, the pilot simply flips two switches, and the advanced FADEC system automatically handles everything.

Our remaining task is simply to monitor the engine parameters. Just two switches to start it? Exactly. That's right. That's impressive! I'm curious, what kind of rescue missions do you typically carry out in South Carolina? Much of our work involves responding to disasters. We carried out essential rescue operations during Hurricane Helene, and we were able to get people out of dangerous situations. We also assisted hikers who got lost or injured on the trail. And the helicopter allowed us to get them out of the dangerous situation having to carry them out on foot.

Okay, this is the inside. of the cockpit. Um, you can see a big difference between the Alpha and Bravo models here. This is a huge upgrade. We have three large screens. Each screen represents a separate computer system. We can monitor the engine parameters. We can manually adjust, well, the aircraft's weight within the system. And then, our main flight instruments and navigation systems are all displayed on external screens. I heard you guys have some very unique hovering and recovery modes. That's right. So, if you find yourself in a situation where the weather is deteriorating,

you might inadvertently fly into the clouds and lose your bearings. Well, you can press the same button, it's called the recovery mode button, and it will take over, stabilize the wings, begin ascending, thereby allowing you, um, to reorient yourself based on the instruments and basically get you out of the dangerous situation. Well, I'm extremely excited about the upcoming flight. Now I'm going inside to get my things, get my jacket because it's quite cold out here, and then we'll meet again at the landing zone.

We're going to take off. Shortly after, a direct flight from Donaldson is expected to arrive around Table Rock and the falls in about 15-20 minutes. Okay, they'll come, assess the wind, the situation, and then check it out. So, the plan for today is this. We will be taking off in a formation of two aircraft, including both the Alpha and Bravo models. I'll start on the Bravo first because I really want to experience the power and maneuverability of this new platform. From there, we'll showcase all the different capabilities of the helicopter, including a final rescue scenario

where I'll be dropped off and then winched back inside to conclude a fantastic day of flying in South Carolina. Guard, seven two zero nine four, takeoff from Guard parking area, risk at your own discretion. Is everything alright outside? I'm ready. Let's go. Check the startup process. Seventy-eight in all three. They're all good. That's booting with FADEC. Just flip two switches and the fan blades will spin; it's that simple.

Forty units of measurement. FND is the official aviation electronic receiver. He's unlocked, he's in control. He's arrived. Bravo is very strong and mobile. Although it's not a fighter jet, it changes direction extremely smoothly. If possible, I would like you to push it to its safe limits to see its true potential. Sure.

In reality, when do you guys actually need to fly such maneuvers? In reality, not very many. Well, most of the time we fly at higher altitudes. Usually, if we have to perform maneuvers that require, well, such aerobatic displays, it's when we're on rescue missions in the mountains, well, which we've done a few times. But that's not the primary mission of this helicopter. It's good to always have that power available. Sure. As a pilot, what does it feel like to fly over challenging terrain and take corners in this Bravo model?

This Bravo model is actually much more powerful. You can push it to its limits very comfortably because there are no power constraints like with the old Alpha model. That's obvious. Come on, Sam, we're going to turn around here. We are about to enter a low-altitude flight corridor, over the mountainous regions of the Carolinas. Now you'll see what it feels like to fly low and skim across the terrain with this aircraft. This is fantastic, a beautiful place for training and flying. Rub There are worse places to hang out, you know.

Flying here in the fall is simply amazing. Even with the doors opening and turning sharply, the back seat remains very comfortable. I understand why you guys like it. Okay, hold on tight. Clinging to the cliff face, hugging the right-hand side of the mountain. Understood. Move to the right to avoid the no-fly zone above. And I'll tell.

Well, I'll tell them to stop as soon as you go around, uh, this mountain. The Lakota series was developed from a civilian version that has been flying for nearly thirty years. The Army can immediately deploy an aircraft model that has been fully proven in real-world conditions. And that's precisely why Airbus decided to sponsor this video of ours. The UH-72 Lakota is based on Airbus's successful commercial helicopter design, with over a thousand units in operation globally over several decades. The militarization of this civilian design allowed the U.S. Army to skip the initial research phase and immediately possess a safe, economical, and reliable aircraft. To date, the

Lakota squadron has accumulated over 1.7 million flight hours in the Army, Guards, and Navy. With four hundred and seventy- nine aircraft in active service, this is the Army's third-largest squadron, supporting domestic missions such as disaster response, border security, and search and rescue. But the story of Lakota doesn't end there. Airbus is developing an unmanned, autonomous version of this platform, called the MQ-72C Lakota Connector. Intended for the Marine Corps' Air Logistics Connect program, it was built to transport unmanned cargo, serving resupply in combat environments where it is too dangerous to deploy a flight crew. At the same time,

the UH-72 Bravo is elevating this platform with increased power, modern avionics, and a new rotor system that reduces maintenance for units such as the South Carolina Guard. This is a versatile aircraft that is easy to maintain, adaptable to new missions, and ready for complex future domestic security challenges. Now, what we're about to see next is a rather interesting demonstration of one of Lakota's capabilities, and that is helping to prevent the spread of wildfires. If you look at this, this is a Bambi's Dump. It is a lightweight, fully foldable aerial fire-fighting bucket that allowing pilots to drop water onto a forest fire with high precision.

Upon seeing this for the first time, I'd like to introduce you to the chief engineer who flew with us, Staff Sergeant Bryan Lunsford, who knew much more about this mission than I did. This is Bambi's Dump on the Bravo model. It holds one hundred and twenty gallons, or one thousand seventy-four pounds. This bucket is quite small; it probably won't be enough to put out a large fire. So what are your actual goals when using this device? When fires are near houses, the Lakota doesn't generate the same strong airflow as the Chinook or UH-60, making it ideal for extinguishing small, isolated fires.

This training area is fantastic. What's going to happen next? This is the first time I've seen it. So we'll attach Bambi's bucket to the Bravo. There's a lake nearby; we'll draw some water from it. Then there are a few drop-off points. We will scatter the seeds and release them in place right here in this field. This cargo hook can withstand 3,300 pounds, exceeding the aircraft's payload capacity, but it still performs well. I wasn't aware of this.

Are you guys carrying anything else? I haven't tried it yet, but it seems possible. But okay! Correct. Right. Are you getting off or am I? Okay, let me do it! Is it close ? It's done Okay, that's fine. Okay, I see it. Okay, now I'll lock it. Alright! How are you feeling? It's locked now. If it falls out, it's your fault, not mine.

Check again, check again. No, I'm watching. It's alright Okay, so. We'll switch positions while you guys do the demo. Uh. that would probably be interesting. That dam looks beautiful when it's turned. We will go there. That's great. Up, lift.

Okay, the dandruff has stabilized. Turn left. Still going in circles. Now we move to this pool, where you can see it getting ready to draw water. Then we'll watch a test drop to make sure everything works properly, before going over to the other area to see the actual drop in flight. Touch water. Four. Three. Twenty. Two. One. Touch. The bucket is full. Okay, pull it up here. Dance. Correct. Good performance. Release the water. Already. The bucket is being filled. The bucket is full. The drum is on top. Pull up. Everything's fine I'm very light. Right here.

Below us. Okay. Release the water. They are now circling back to perform the water drop. So we will see a lot of water splashing. It's a bit windy out here. Now, to the Blackhawk or Chinook pilots who may be watching, I know you guys carry more water than Lakota. But while you were on the front lines, these very people held the fort.

We should acknowledge their efforts. We are performing a scatter drop at this point. Dandruff is fine. Drain, drain, drain. Release the water, release the water, release the water. See? That's how you put out a fire. That's crazy! Now let's go back over there because there's another special feature I want to show you, and it's even cooler than the previous one.

We've already seen its flight and firefighting capabilities, but before I'm hoisted aboard, let's take another look at one more mission on this Alpha model right here next to us. It is equipped with a system called S&S MEP, which stands for Security and Support Mission Equipment Package. In terms of security, this includes border surveillance and drug control, while support includes humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and search and rescue. As you can see now, this Alpha model is equipped with searchlights, photoelectric infrared sensors right at the front, a mission control station, as well as a video transmission antenna and mapping system.

They will demonstrate tracking a moving target from an altitude of thousands of feet. I'll go inside and see you all again in the air. Sixty-three percent capacity. Go straight up. Keep it at twenty-five hundred. Today was my first time flying the Alpha model. Your mission control station is impressive. The flight crew chief manages all the cameras and sensors, right? That's right. The pilot will maintain the best position for our camera angle. What are you looking at? What controls does he have? The camera controls are located at the back.

We have wide-angle, narrow-angle, and infrared photoelectric sensors. A wide-angle lens will provide a comprehensive view so we don't lose sight of the target while following a vehicle. Narrow-angle lenses are used to magnify license plates, greatly assisting in the accurate identification of people and vehicles. Infrared sensors, on the other hand, are typically used at night to detect heat sources. The plan is that we'll track a car and a person on the ground, right? Right There have been reports of a vehicle in this park.

We'll locate them and then follow them to see what they intend to do. How far can you maintain a distance to accurately locate a person? We can see for miles around. Many miles? A few miles. We're at three thousand feet, you'll see how it works. There are reports of a saw it. Let's see what he does. That's the narrow angle mode. We are currently half a mile away at an altitude of three thousand feet.

Oh my God! Three thousand feet away, yet it was as clear as if it were right next to me. There are a few red packages in the back of the pickup truck; let's see what they're going to do with them. And regarding signal transmission capabilities, can you broadcast images from this camera to the ground police force? Is that the main purpose? Exactly. We have both mobile and stationary units to which we transmit data. Do you keep your distance so they don't know you, or will they recognize you? Correct. When we're fighting drugs, we fly at five or six thousand feet so they'll never know. So, with infrared capabilities, does it make a difference at night or in conditions of limited visibility, or. Yes,

it does. As night fell and the weather turned cold, the infrared camera proved very effective. Rub. The sun is so bright right now that the picture isn't clear. Basically, as long as they're in. a clear view, you can see them. If they're smart, they'll hide somewhere you can't see them. Exactly. That's right. If he runs into the forest, we'll switch to infrared to find him. Okay. Some dogs just ran out. He's getting out of the car right now. That's right In IR mode.

Hot and dark. The black spot is hot. Rub They ran away, westward across the field. He was in the empty space, still facing west. I know this technology isn't new, but it's surprising to see from this perspective how easy it is to remotely track someone with such detail. After the security and support demonstration was over, we made a quick landing so I could switch to the Bravo model in preparation for the final scenario, where I would be hoisted from the cliff onto the Lakota to wrap up this video. But there's one thing I haven't realized yet. To be rescued from a cliff, you first have to be dropped off a cliff.

That led me to my current situation. Now we're looking for a landing spot to pick up the helicopter at the cable-pulling point. Ironically, this happened in a South Carolina state park, so a few lucky onlookers got to witness the interesting spectacle. I held my position until he left. Understood Exceed low. The area below and the front are safe. Now, let's go downstairs. He's safe to his left.

The winch is now powered on. The rescue team has secured their safety harnesses. The pre-takeoff checks have been completed. We're right here. We need to get to this point for the Lakota helicopter to pick us up. This is Jumping Off Rock, a beautiful viewpoint in South Carolina overlooking Lake Jocassee. There, we met the state's Task Force One of the urban rescue teams. They coordinated with the South Carolina National Guard's Lakota flight crew to conduct search and rescue missions.

I'm sure I'll be safe. Search within a hundred feet. What was his escape plan? Straight down into the valley. Understood. Straight. Down Hello, thank you. Yes, absolutely! Hi guys, this is Sam. How are you? Are you guys just taking a walk? Just passing through. It's about to get good. Yeah. I'm just We were just guessing we'd run into a few people passing by. Incidentally. This scene is very amusing. I'm about to be hoisted onto the helicopter. That's really cool.

I just heard this is probably the most overlooked viewpoint in South Carolina. Mainly because it's very difficult to drive up here. But look at this. It's beautiful. Luckily, we don't have to drive because the car picking us up is right over there! The captain is right at the door. One survivor was able to walk on their own. Prepare to drop R one. R is a belt. We will conduct a dynamic search at a depth of one hundred feet. Dynamic mode. There is a

tailwind. First, maintain momentum. Slide right. Determine the altitude. Confirmed. Drop the rescuers down immediately. Understood. The electricity supply is stable. Six two. The rescue team is halfway there. In progress. Advance if necessary. Rescue at the harbor, three. two. Hold on to the harbor. Safe. Left first. The road ahead is safe. Thirty.

Rounding out to the landing zone. Right there on the left. Go all in. 100 knots if needed. Great Well, that concludes the day on the U-Hat seventy-two Lakota. And a big thank you to the South Carolina National Guard for allowing us to come here and for showcasing its capabilities. Now, to celebrate this video, we've made our own custom Lakota badges from our friends at Badass Patches. If you'd like to buy one, remember to click the link in the description below. Filming in South Carolina has finished! I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing you next time.