The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Philippines of TH-73A Training Helicopters and Support for an estimated cost of US $120 million (approx. AU $189 million).
The Philippines has requested to buy the following defence articles and services from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA): TH-73A training helicopters, aircraft simulator and other related elements of aviation, logistics and program support.
The TH-73A Thrasher is derived from the commercial Leonardo TH-119 single-engine instrument flight rules helicopter. As part of the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS), the TH-73A serves as the training platform for the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard rotary wing training, and it provides the rotary wing portion of training for all Navy and Marine Corps tilt-rotor aviators.
The Thrasher replaced the TH-57 Sea Ranger Helicopter training system and will be in service for advanced rotary wing and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements until 2050.
The proposed sale will provide an aircraft platform that will serve as the primary method of improving pilot training and skills, thus helping to ensure the development of a proficient rotary wing aviator corps within the Philippines.
The principal contractor will be AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.