Italian Army UH-169B training helicopters set first major operational milestone logging 1000 flight hours.

The Italian Army’s two AW169 basic training twin engine helicopters recently set a first important milestone by accruing 1,000 flight hours in operations. The type has been in service with the Italian Army since July 2020 when the first aircraft was delivered to the 2nd Army Aviation Regiment ‘Sirio’ based in Lamezia Terme in Southern Italy, followed by the second helicopter a few months afterwards.

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The first AW169 LUH (designated UH-169B by the Italian MOD) delivered to the Italian Army (Picture source: Leonardo)

The introduction of the latest generation training helicopter (designated UH-169B) allows the Italian Army to prepare its crews for the future operational transition. This will be to an all-new advanced multirole Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) programme, developed from the AW169 dual-use baseline, which is aimed at longer-term fleet modernisation and rationalisation plan. The two AW169 trainers will enable the Italian Army to familiarise itself with the platform’s basic characteristics during the development of the new LUH. These have been supplied with comprehensive turnkey logistical support and a pilot/maintenance technician training package which will maintain high availability rates and ensure operational readiness.

The LUH programme is aimed at progressively replacing ageing models, including the A109, AB206, AB205, AB212 and AB412 to meet evolving operational requirements. In addition the programme benefits from a more efficient supply chain based on a ‘one single platform’ approach. The introduction of the AW169 LUH, specifically developed for the Italian Army leverages on the AW169M military helicopter baseline, and also provides the advantage of unique logistical, operational and technical, certification and training commonalities and synergies across the growing AW169 fleets of government operators in Italy. This strengthens the possibility to perform effective and safe joint operations with other users of this modern type and represents a quantum leap in homeland security, emergency response capability and overall through-lifecycle costs/effectiveness for decades to come. The overall AW169 LUH programme is based on an advanced multirole configuration provided with dedicated flight/mission equipment including, among others, skids landing gear, the Leonardo MAIR (Multi Aperture InfraRed) threat warning system and an advanced C4 command, control and communication system to grant full interoperability with other assets in the NATO environment. The Italian Army will initially receive 15 AW169 LUHs starting in 2023.

Italian Army quote “The 2nd Army Aviation Regiment ‘Sirio’ is the Italian Army flight Unit designated to study and verify in flight the basic version of the aircraft, in order to settle modifications aimed to its reconfiguration into the LUH military version”.

Leonardo announced on July 10, 2020, the delivery of the first of two AW169 basic training twin engine helicopters to the Italian Army during an official ceremony held at the 2nd Rgt. AVES ‘Sirio’ based in Lamezia Terme in the presence of representatives from the operator and industry (Picture source Leonardo) 

About the AW169M helicopter:
The AW169M is the military variant of the latest generation AW169 twin-engine helicopter, designed to the latest FAR/JAR/EASA requirements as well as those standards of military, homeland security and government users. The platform features outstanding power, agility and manoeuvrability, which provides excellent handling characteristics in a wide range of operating conditions including hot and high. The unique transmission design provides power to hydraulic, electrical and air conditioning systems with the rotors stopped (APU mode) optimising response time and availability.

The cabin is the most spacious in its class and features a constant height cross section for rapid reconfiguration and ease of access. Pilots benefit from a latest-generation, open-architecture avionics suite, including a fully digital glass cockpit and unprecedented external visibility, providing advanced tactical and situational awareness.

Customers worldwide have placed orders and options for over 290 AW169 helicopters today, including military and law enforcement/public service operators, to carry out a range of missions including utility, surveillance, special operations, maritime patrol, land reconnaissance, training, rescue and fire-fighting.

More than 130 AW169s are already in service today and have logged in excess of 100,000 flight hours in operations worldwide.