Navy Places 4th Order Of Helicopter Trainers

Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland) has been awarded a $110.5 million contract modification by the DoD for 26 additional Leonardo TH-73A “Thrasher” training helicopter. The TH-73A “Thrasher” is based off of the civilian AW119Kx Koala. The first contract, awarded in Jan. 2020, covered 36 helicopters plus training, equipment, spares, etc. for a total of $176 million. A second order was placed in Nov. 2020, and a third in Dec. 2021. The second & third contracts ordered 36 additional helicopters each, with a price tag of $171 million & $159.4 million respectively. The Thrasher is replacing Bell's TH-57 "Sea Ranger" as the Navy's basic & advanced IFR rotorcraft trainer and boasts a digital cockpit.

Photo sources: https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/24-12-2022-leonardo-u.s.-department-of-defense-exercises-option-for-26-th-73a-thrasher-helicopters. https://theaviationist.com/2022/09/28/new-th-73a-helicopter-training/

Article source: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-03-01/navy-orders-fourth-lot-leonardo-th-73a-trainers