The U.S. Navy has awarded AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. (Leonardo) a contract for $176.5 million to produce 32 TH-73A (manufacturer’s designation TH-119) helicopters in support of the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) program.
“Today marks a great team effort to procure and deliver a helicopter trainer for the next generation of helicopter and tilt-rotor pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard,” said James F. Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition.
Five proposals were submitted for the contract. The firm, fixed-price TH-73A base contract has three one-year options for a total contract value of $648.1 million for 130 aircraft. Helicopter deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2020 and continue through 2024.
The new helicopter meets advanced rotary wing and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard through 2050. The TH-73A will be manufactured in United States with assembly taking place in the contractor’s FAA Part 21 facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Work on the first 32 aircraft is to be completed in October 2021.
