Leonardo‘s training helicopter offering for the U.S. Navy has received supplemental type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration under instrument flight rules. TH-119 is based on the AW119 single-engine helicopter and designed to operate in low visibility and extreme weather conditions, Leonardo said Thursday.
Leonardo developed TH-119 as a potential replacement for the service branch’s TH-57 rotorcraft trainer after collecting feedback from former naval aviators and instructor pilots. The new vehicle employs a Pratt & Whitney-built PT6B engine, Genesys Aerosystems-made avionics and other helicopter-tailored flight systems.
According to Leonardo, it would produce the helicopter in Philadelphia if the company wins the Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System contract. The service branch looks to buy as many as 130 new trainers.
