The Italian Navy has announced the completion of deliveries of its NH90 helicopters combined with a dedicated simulation centre for its NH90 crews.
The 46th SH-90A ASW/ASuW aircraft, assembled at Leonardo’s facility in Venice Tessera, is now deployed at the Italian Navy’s Maristaeli Luni Base.
The helicopter also joins a fleet of ten MH-90As optimised for tactical transport duties and special operations, bringing the total fleet of NH90s to 56 in service.
The first Italian Navy’s NH90 was delivered in 2011. Since then, the whole fleet has logged in excess of 35,000 flight hours in multiple operations in Italy and internationally.
The completion of deliveries occurs as a Full Crew Simulation Training Centre opens at the base, featuring a dedicated Level D Full Flight Simulator of the type in full MR 1 configuration, all fully developed by Leonardo and tailored to the Italian Navy’s needs.
Italian Navy’s NH90 simulation station
The new simulation environment allows for the SH-90 and MH-90 crews (including both pilots and specialised personnel) to be trained a high level of fidelity and accuracy to carry out missions in any kind of operational scenarios.
The system is suitable for further evolution in the future, such as the possibility to be linked to other simulation assets in order to develop joint and multi-domain networked mission training. Additionally, the Full Crew Simulation Training Centre will deliver training services to NH90 crews from other countries.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters MD, said: “The completion of the NH90 deliveries and the handover of this one-of-a-kind simulation environment marks a major step forward, which further reinforces our long-established partnership with the Italian Navy.
“I want to thank all Navy and industry personnel who made these results possible. We now look forward to continuing this collaboration with the Italian Navy towards new important goals and capability enhancement to meet evolving requirements.”
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