The Lakota is a variant of the technologically-advanced and operationally-proven H145 helicopter, which is used worldwide for: law enforcement, emergency medical transportation, search and rescue, offshore and utility operations, and corporate transportation. The UH-72 Lakota has proven itself as a key platform for the U.S. Army, Navy, and National Guard in their mission of protecting and serving communities across America. Selected in June 2006 following a rigorous evaluation, it combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all of the Army's requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance. As an in-production helicopter with FAA IFR certification, the UH-72 meets the Army's commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) acquisition strategy. In a published interview 1, Nelson described how “In the summer of 1947, I was holding a regional science fiction convention in my front room and it culminated with myself and some Michigan fans dressing up in some improvised costumes to take joke photographs, simulating the covers of science fiction magazines. The headgear which I designed for the space hero was the first propeller beanie. It was made out of pieces of plastic, bit of coat-hanger wire, some beads, a propeller from a model airplane, and staples to hold it together.” Shortly thereafter, it was worn by George Young of Detroit at a world convention, where it was an enormous hit.

But the award for the Ultimate Propeller-Head Geek must surely go to a much earlier claimant. In U.S. patent No. 1,799,664 issued on 7 Apr 1931, inventor Hermann W. Williams of Boston, Massachussetts, presents his design for a “Safety Drop Device For Aviator's Use,” inspired by the seed pod wing of the maple keys seen spinning down from maple trees in fall. With concern that “The ordinary parachute of umbrella type which requires to be opened out from its collapsed or folded form for a safety descent sometimes fails to open at the critical time,” the innovation is purported to “provide a safety landing device which does not require any preliminary opening but is always operative for a gliding descent as soon at it is attached to the body of the user. The electronic warfare system and decoy system bring an extra level of protection in high-threat environments. Contributing to the survivability are self-sealing fuel tanks, ballistic protection and infrared suppressors, along with crashworthiness designed into the airframe and seats. The name “propeller-head” is used nowadays for a technophile, sometimes disparagingly, for an enthusiast of technology and (according to the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary) especially of computers. In images, the modern geek may be satirized with a cap having one or two toy propellers mounted to spin horizontally above the top of the hat.Enhancements include an upgraded transmission system and the incorporation of Airbus’ signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor for improved anti-torque control. The H145M can be equipped with Airbus’ HForce weapons system – an incremental, modular and cost-efficient weapon system that can be used on any military version of Airbus’ civil helicopter range (H125M, H145M and H225M). Optimised maintenance and high reliability are key factors for the H145M’s cost-effectiveness in demanding operations. UH-72 Lakota: Proven for the U.S. Army The H145M’s compact airframe provides a low profile, enhanced by the helicopter’s agility in combat flight and its designed-in system redundancy. The novelty of the propeller hat has been enduring. As recently as 13 Sep 2007, a trademark was issued to Schyling for the Copter Cap, which this time features a baseball style cap with a wind up circular propeller of the same principle as the earlier Mattel toy.