The collaboration between Boeing and Leonardo brings together decades of operational expertise to support the U.S. Army’s helicopter training programs through the AW119T—a single-engine training helicopter developed by Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland). The aircraft was first introduced to the American defense community on May 16, 2016, during the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exhibition at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive, long-term training solution designed to enhance pilot readiness, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for future Army aviators.
Boeing contributes its extensive background in military aviation training, including global support and mission training for the AH-64 Apache fleet. Its experience spans live, virtual, and constructive simulations, cockpit procedure trainers, and advanced instructor development programs—core elements that sustain the high readiness levels of Apache crews worldwide
“By combining two industry leaders, we’re giving the U.S. Army a fully integrated, turnkey training approach that strengthens pilot proficiency and delivers measurable value across the life of the program,” said John Chicoli, Senior Director for U.S. Army, Marines & Special Operations Missions at Boeing Global Services.
The AW119T itself is a proven single-engine training platform with a strong commercial support base. The model has logged more than 100,000 flight hours, including over 16,000 hours of instrument flight and more than 40,000 autorotations with touchdown. Leonardo currently manages 130 AW119T helicopters in service with the U.S. Navy at Fort Rucker, Alabama, providing immediate logistical synergies and rapid response capabilities.
“The AW119T has already demonstrated its reliability in daily U.S. military training operations,” noted Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters U.S. “With over 100,000 flight hours accumulated and a well-established support network in Florida, Leonardo and Boeing are uniquely positioned to deliver immediate capability and long-term value to the Army through the Flight School Next program.”
The Boeing–Leonardo partnership underscores a broader effort to modernize military flight training in the United States, blending proven aircraft performance with digital tools and advanced simulation to prepare the next generation of Army aviators.Bringing together prominent figures from business, academia, culture, and public life, the gala promises to be a night that celebrates not only personal achievement but also the collective spirit of the Italian and Italian American community. Through this milestone event, NIAF reaffirms its enduring mission: to strengthen the cultural, educational, and human bonds that unite Italy and the United States.