New TH-119 helicopter unveiled for military pilot training

Italy's Leonardo-Finmeccanica has introduced a single-engine helicopter it is offering to the U.S. Navy for its Advanced Helicopter Trainer Program.

The TH-119 is a variant of the AW119 and was unveiled earlier this week at the Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington, D.C.

The AW119 is by AgustaWestland, now part of Fineccanica.

The aircraft, to be built at the company's Philadelphia, Penn., facility, features a dual-display Genesys Aerospace cockpit for flexibility to instruct from either seat and the option for visual and instrument flying; night vision capability; re-enforced skids with replaceable skid shoes; cargo hook and hoist options; and a five-fuel cell option that provides more than five hours of flight time with pressure refueling port allowing for less downtime to refuel as well as "hot" refueling while the engine is still running.

"As the U.S. Navy faces increasing challenges to its current training helicopter platforms, the TH-119 helicopter is the best solution for the U.S. Navy at the right time," the company said.