100th Thrasher delivered
On 17 September 2024, the US Navy took delivery of the 100th Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher utility helicopter (BuNo 170243/E-731) at a ceremony in Northeast Philadelphia (PA).
Early 2022, the US Navy selected an advanced Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rated version of the Leonardo AW119Kx Koala helicopter to replace the ageing fleet of Bell TH-57B/C Sea Rangers as the primary training helicopter to produce the next generation of rotary and tilt-rotor pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and selected allied nations. The new helicopter is designated as the TH-73A Thrasher.
On 6 August 2021, the US Navy's first TH-73A Thrasher training helicopter arrived at NAS Whiting Field-South near Milton (FL) to be used with Training Air Wing 5 (TAW-5). In total the US Navy will receive 130 TH-73A Thrashers.
As of mid-August 2024, the Navy’s advanced helicopter training syllabus is comprised of more than 317 total Student Naval Aviators (SNAs), of which 185, or 58%, are currently in the TH-73A training curriculum. This number is projected to peak at 66% when the second of three squadrons complete the transition this fall. The third and final squadron, Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28 Hellions ("E-xxx'), is expected to begin the transition to the TH-73 later this year.
The other two helicopter training squadrons based at NAS Whiting Field-South are HT-8 Eight Ballers and HT-18 Vigilant Eagles. A fourth unit, designated Helicopter Instructor Training Unit (HITU) and nicknamed Blade Runner, is dedicated to instructor training.
Credit photo: Kevin Porter (via jetphotos.com)