Italian Army’s UH-169B training helicopters reach operational milestone
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.
The introduction of the latest generation training helicopter 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) program, developed from the AW169 dual-use baseline, which is aimed at longer-term fleet modernization and rationalization plan.
Replacing ageing models to meet requirements
The LUH program is aimed at progressively replacing ageing models, including the A109, AB206, AB205, AB212 and AB412 to meet evolving operational requirements. In addition, the program 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.
The Italian Army said in a statement: “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.”
Clara Bullock
Clara Bullock is a writer for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Initially a freelance writer for publications ranging from gardening news to music magazines, she has made the transition to writing about the ins and outs of travel insurance and aeromedicine. In her spare time she reviews books on Instagram and eats pasta.