Leonardo’s Production AW09 Leading Flight-test Program

Progress on the Leonardo AW09 single-engine helicopter continues. The aircraft started life as the Marenco Swisshelicopter SKYe SH09 and then Kopter SH09 before Leonardo purchased the program in 2020 and renamed it the AW09.

Although the OEM had hoped for EASA certification last year, this was hindered by a five-month pause in flight-test activity from late 2024 due to gearbox issues.

In August, Leonardo reported that the program had taken a significant step forward with the first serial-production copy, S6, taking to the skies from the final assembly line facility in Varese, Italy. Leonardo has since shared that the campaign has been “demonstrating strong progress toward certification” with flight testing on the pre-series prototypes PS4 and PS5 continuing.

PS4 is conducting engine and performance testing after having opened the flight envelope and completed all handling qualities certification flight tests. PS5 “further expanded the flight envelope in altitude and temperature, and it is now completing the flight load and vibration survey activity, which represent a significant part of the certification test program,” the company said.

“In the coming weeks, PS5 will also complete avionics testing and, most importantly, start the ‘avoid curve’ test campaign, the last test activity to be performed ahead of type certification,” it added.

As the first production helicopter, S6 is undergoing function and reliability testing, “flying different mission profiles representative of end customer operations, as well as to validate the human-machine interface.”

Total flight test hours of all the AW09 prototypes and S6 exceed 1,000, with more than 500 hours accumulated on PS4, PS5, and S6. Most of the key laboratory tests for the AW09 program have also been completed.

The helicopter’s basic configuration is complete, and all hardware and software have been established and integrated. Leonardo will later develop some specific mission configurations that require additional equipment and systems.

“All the Leonardo and Kopter teams are fully engaged as we advance through the AW09 certification campaign,” said Marco Viola, CEO of Leonardo’s Kopter Group. “We are performing extensive test activities, while S6 now plays a central role in validating the maturity of the design.”

Leonardo describes the eight-passenger AW09 as the “first all-new design in its weight class for more than 30 years,” adding that its flexible cabin layout helps equip it to perform multiple missions across different applications. The OEM added that it is the only light single helicopter to feature a “native connected aircraft" concept that enables seamless and automatic download of data at the end of each flight, together with advanced flight tracking capability.”

With a composite airframe and shrouded tail rotor, the AW09 features a flat floor, high-ceiling cabin for maximum loading flexibility, and eight individual crashworthy passenger seats. Stretchers can be loaded via unobstructed rear access.

Avionics feature a Garmin G3000H suite. Performance capabilities include a range of 432 nm, cruise speed up to 140 knots, and external load capacity of 3,300 pounds.

The Safran Arriel 2K-powered helicopter has already garnered around 130 preliminary sales contracts.