The TH-73A AHTS will reach Initial Operational Capability in 2021 and will provide the training tools needed to produce the next generations of rotary and tilt-rotor pilots for the U.S. and select allied nations, thus ensuring the future readiness of Naval Aviation. The Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, oversees the TH-73A AHTS.
In January 2020, AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo) TH-119 chopper was selected to fulfill advanced rotary wing and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard through 2050.
Five proposals were submitted for the AHTS contract. The new firm fixed price TH-73A contract was awarded on a best-value tradeoff basis with a base and three one-year options. The base year contract is for $176.5M for 32 aircraft. The total contract value is $648.1M for the procurement of 130 aircraft. Helicopter deliveries are scheduled to begin in calendar year 2020 and continue through calendar year 2024.