Leonardo TH-73 US Navy

[Autonomous Collectiv]

Originally Posted by rrekn

The EC135 has won many similar training contracts (UK, Germany, Australia) due to the fact it's a twin, but that also brings increased costs (and complexities for a student pilot), I think the combination of IFR capability combined with the low running costs of a single won the day.

Like all US Defense contracts, I'm sure there was a senator or congressman from Philadelphia that had something to do with it too...

In Australia the Military that are operating in a training role and didn't choose it are crying into their beer. It is woefully under-performing and rumour has it to train for hoisting they can't carry enough fuel to leave the confines of Nowra!

[tottigol]

Originally Posted by Copter Appreciator00

I was wondering what about the AW119 made it the choice? in what regards did it outduel the H135 and the bell 407? I suspect the open cabin forward-facing bench seat arrangement had something to do with it, as the 407 has the first pair of passanger seats facing rear. What else may have come into play in favor of the AW119?

I am not the tallest pilot around, however when going from the 206L to the 407, I found out that the pax cabin was made longer by stealing about 4 inches from the cockpit and that I no longer needed to move the pedals closer.
Small cockpit tends to be an issue when you are training with an LPA over your flight suit.
The 407's broom closet also does not lend itself to visibility and/or accessibility from the rear.
Having flown both aircraft I can say that the 119 vastly outperforms the 407 anyday, even the vibrations are greater.
Last but not least, a fully specd IFR high performing single at less than 5 millions per copy?

[chopper2004]

TH-119 demo flight

Thanks to the Leonardo folks who arranged the TH-119 demo flight last week in Anaheim. So here are my photos from that morning...

cheers

[ObeyTheDiode]

Airbus is formally protesting the selection of the TH-119 over their H135.

[chopper2004]

And I spoke too soon as Airbus Helicopters are contesting the decision

https://www.janes.com/article/94133/...rd-to-leonardo

[havick]

Originally Posted by chopper2004

And I spoke too soon as Airbus Helicopters are contesting the decision

https://www.janes.com/article/94133/...rd-to-leonardo

The baby has thrown it’s bottle out of the cot.

[chopper2004]

Exercise options for 36 airframes

Additional Leonardo TH-73A as the United States Navy exercises options for another thirty six of the new helicopter trainer.

https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/p...3a-helicopters

[chopper2004]

First Th-73A delivered

Philadelphia, 10 June 2021 – At a ceremony on its Philadelphia campus and under the backdrop of the Stars and Stripes, Leonardo officially delivered the first TH-73A training helicopter to the U.S. Navy earlier today. The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, commander of Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet; Rear Admiral Gregory Harris, Director of Air Warfare Division (N98); and Captain Holly Shoger, Program Manager of Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program. Also attending the ceremony was Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo and members of local, state and federal elected delegations, including Congressman Donald Norcross and Philadelphia Mayor‘

[Rigga]

In the 70’s Harrier pilots used to do a few hours of helicopter training (in Whirlwinds) before they started their type training - I elieve to get them used to contribute=ogling things in a hover….?

[Rigga]

Originally Posted by Lurching

How does that work?

In the 70’s Harrier pilots got used to hovering a Whirlwind before doing their type training.

[rrekn]

Looks like that paint job is from the '70s...

[SASless]

I would suggest the blinding fast speed of the Whirlwind is what was prepping them for the Harrier.

[chopper2004]

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Ne...copter-system/

[chopper2004]

100th TH-73A delivered

100th TH-73A has been delivered today

https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-re...B9OI-kakfzczIw

cheers

[Lonewolf_50]

That's good news. I'll need to do a bit of digging, as I think there was supposed to be a "night vision goggle training friendly" feature to this buy; been over a decade since an colleague (now long since retired) was working on part of the requirements document for this system. Will check with him and see if that survived.