Leonardo welcomes the announcement by the US Department of Defense with which, as part of the program for the creation of the new advanced training system for the US Navy for which AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. is responsible, the option for the production and delivery of the fourth batch of 26 TH-73A helicopters, worth $110,5 million.
The helicopters will be built in Philadelphia, with plans to complete operations in December 2024.
In January 2020 Leonardo, through AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., was awarded an initial contract worth $176 million for the production and delivery of 32 TH-73A helicopters, together with an initial package of spare parts, support and equipment dedicated, as well as training services for pilots and maintenance technicians. In November 2020, options for an additional 36 helicopters worth $171 million had been exercised.
As of December 2021, the purchase of an additional 36 units, valued at $159,4 million, has been confirmed. The helicopters are built at Leonardo's Philadelphia facility and are used to train the next generation of US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard pilots.
In September of 2022, the first twelve students began training on the TH-73A, designated "Thrasher" by the US Navy. In November 2022, the first of these students completed their maiden solo flights.
