US Navy on track ordering more Thrashers
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NASC) has awarded a contract valued at USD 159 million to Leonardo for the delivery of an additional 36 TH-73A Thrasher training helicopters.
The work on the contract, performed by Leonardo subsidiary AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, is expected to be completed in December 2023. The US Navy's total requirement is for 130 training helicopters to replace the TH-57B/C Sea Ranger. With this new contract, the number of ordered TH-73As has rissen to 104. The previous two contracts were in January 2020 for 32 helicopters (USD 176,5 million) and on 12 November 2020 for 36 helicopters (USD 171 million).
All TH-73As will be delivered to Training Air Wing (TAW) FIVE ("E-xxx") at NAS Whiting Field (FL). The first TH-73A, BuNo 170138 and code E-610, was delivered to the wing on 6 August 2021. With some six training squadrons, three fixed-wing primary training squadrons and three rotary-wing advanced training squadrons, TW-5 at NAS Whiting Field is also home to the largest Air Wing in the US Navy and is responsible for the flight training of all Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard helicopter pilots.
US Navy photo by Lt. Michelle Tucker