US Department of Defense exercises options for 36 TH-73A helicopters

Leonardo announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. a US$159.4 million firm-fixed price modification to the previously awarded contract for the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System. This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of 36 TH-73A helicopters Lot III and initial spares. In January 2020 Leonardo, through AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at US$176 million for the production and delivery of an initial 32 TH-73A helicopters, along with spares, support, dedicated equipment, and specific pilot and maintenance training services. In November 2020, the second lot of aircraft were ordered through a $171 million contract modification, an additional 36. The lot III brings the total number of aircraft on order to 104. The total requirement is for 130 aircraft. The TH-73A will be used to train the next generation of student aviators from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and is only made at Leonardo’s FAA-certified Part 21 Production Line in Philadelphia, PA. The TH-73A is crucial in providing higher fidelity training to future rotary-wing and tilt-rotor pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The new aircraft will meet the capability and capacity gaps of the TH-57 Sea Ranger training platform, the Navy said previously. “The cutting-edge technology and advanced avionics within the Advanced Helicopter Training System will enable a more seamless transition from the training aircraft to fleet aircraft, this in turn allows more focus on high end warfighting development and training,” the US Navy said. “The aircraft incorporates a modern avionics suite with a fully integrated flight management system, automatic flight control system and independent digital cockpit displays to both pilot stations,” it added. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]