Second batch of US Navy TH-73A helicopters ordered
Following the initial order of 32 TH-73As by the US Navy in January 2020, another batch of 36 of these training helicopters is ordered by the US Navy on 12 November 2020.
The US Navy has contracted AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (PA) to deliver an additional 36 TH-73As (the militarised version of the AW119Kx Koala/ TH-119) in support of the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Coast Guard undergraduate helicopter pilot training and the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) programme.
As known, the TH-73A will replace the ageing TH-57B/C Sea Ranger fleet of Training Wing FIVE ('E') at NAS Whiting Field-South (FL).
The new contract, worth USD 171 million, comes nearly eleven months after the US Navy awarded AgustaWestland Philadelphia, the US branch of the European Leonardo helicopters, a USD 176,5 million contract. Both contracts include initial spares, support and dedicated equipment, and specific pilot and maintenance training services. Deliveries of the helicopters from these two contracts must be completed by December 2022.
The US Navy plans to buy 125 TH-73As (no name given yet), so further orders are expected through 2021. Very last deliveries are expected through calendar year 2024. The TH-73As are expected to operate through 2050.
Photo: via navair.navy.mil