Italy: Leonardo supplies first UH-169D helicopter to Italian Army

Rome: Italy has taken delivery of its first UH-169D Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) from Leonardo as part of a contract signed in 2020.

The program covers a total of 25 aircraft, associated support, and training services for the army, with completion set for 2027.

The arrival of Rome’s new helicopter followed two UH-169B basic trainer variants that have already been used for aircrew familiarization in line with the military’s transition into an advanced multirole rotary-wing fleet.

Missions that the upcoming fleet will undertake include troop transport, medical evacuation, casualty support, and other national security operations as needed in domestic and overseas domains.

In 2018, Leonardo accepted a similar contract to supply 22 UH-169s in its standard multirole variant for Italy’s Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency.

“The Italian Army’s LUH definitely represents the start of a new era in terms of capabilities, technical support, mission flexibility and interoperability in the light weight segment,” Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo stated.

“This new program takes advantage of decades of successful partnerships and continued information exchange. We’re committed to supporting the operator to maximise the benefits of these new helicopters.”

Leonardo’s UH-169 measures 15 meters (49 feet) long and has a wing diameter of 12 meters (39 feet).

The aircraft has the capacity for up to 12 passengers and 250 kilograms (551 pounds) of payload, or seven specialists and two stretchers for medical emergencies.

It is fitted with twin Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft engines with 1,000 horsepower each.

The system travels at 165 knots (306 kilometers/190 miles per hour), has a range of 440 nautical miles (815 kilometers/506 miles), and a flight endurance of over four hours.