$110 Million Amendment Brings Total Aircraft on Order to 130

The US Navy has exercised an option authorising production and delivery of an additional 26 TH-73A helicopters – known as Thrasher – under Lot IV of the service’s Advanced Helicopter Training System programme. Work on the $110.5 million amendment will be conducted by AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., and is expected to be complete by the end of calendar year 2024.

In January 2020, the company was awarded a $176 million contract for production and delivery of an initial 32 aircraft, along with spares, support, dedicated equipment and specific pilot/maintenance training services. In November the same year, a second lot of 36 aircraft was ordered in a $171 million  modification, with a further modification in December 2021 adding a third lot of 36 aircraft for $159.4 million. The TH-73A will train the next generation of pilots for the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The initial class of 12 students began training with TH-73As in September this year, the first of whom have now completed their inaugural solo flights.