Rotorcraft
Leonardo Hands Over First U.S. Navy TH-73A Trainer
The IFR-certificated version of the AW119Kx will replace the Bell TH-57 as the Navy’s undergraduate rotary-wing trainer.
A TH-73A is depicted flying over Whiting Field’s South Base, currently home to TAW-5’s TH-57C Sea Ranger fleet. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
A TH-73A is depicted flying over Whiting Field’s South Base, currently home to TAW-5’s TH-57C Sea Ranger fleet. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

Vice Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, the commander of Naval Air Forces, accepted the keys of the first Leonardo TH-73A in a ceremony held June 10 at the manufacturer’s Philadelphia factory. Handing over the helicopter on behalf of Leonardo was William Hunt, CEO of the company’s U.S. helicopter division.