Leonardo dangle support center carrot in U.S. Navy bid

Leonardo will build a customer support center if selected for the United States Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System TH-73.

The center would be in Whiting Aviation Park, a 269-acre planned development adjacent to Naval Air Station Whiting Field, where all helicopter pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are trained.

The proposed 100,000 sq. ft. facility will provide 24/7 service covering spare parts and warranty among others.

Leonardo said its planned support center would create at least 40 jobs.

"Leonardo continuously makes investments that bring the Company closer to its customers. We hope to soon invest in Santa Rosa County," said William Hunt, Leonardo Helicopters Philadelphia.

Leonardo has offered its purpose built TH-119 IFR single engine helicopter to replace the Navy’s fleet of TH-57 training helicopters.

"The TH-119 helicopter is the ideal training platform for the Navy,"  Hunt added. "With this announcement, exceptional aircraft performance and superior maintenance go hand-in-hand."

Italian tech company Leonardo entered a collaboration with CAE last month to work on helicopter training solutions for the government market in the U.S.