Leonardo’s proposed U.S. Navy training helicopter, the TH-119, has received IFR supplemental type certification (STC) from the FAA. The TH-119 is equipped with Genesys Aerosystems avionics and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B engine. It is based on the AW119 civil helicopter and features an adjustable observer seat that provides a full view of the cockpit, reinforced skids with removable shoes, and has the ability for “hot” pressure refueling without shutting the engine down.
The Navy is expected to award a contract next year to replace its aging fleet of Bell TH-57s, its variant of the JetRanger. Bell and Airbus are also competing for the contract, the former with the variant of its single-engine Model 407 and the latter with a variant of its light-twin EC135.
If the Navy selects the helicopter, up to 130 TH-119s would be built at Leonardo’s FAA Part 21 production facility in Philadelphia, where all AW119s worldwide are manufactured. The AW119 is in service in 40 countries and has been selected by military, government, and parapublic customers, including the Portuguese Air Force, New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police, and others across Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.