Leonardo Helicopters is investing more than US$65m in a news aftermarket supports centre at Whiting Aviation Park in northwest Florida.
The Leonardo Helicopters Florida Support Center is being built in partnership with Space Florida and will be in operation by the end of 2024. The 113,00sqft (10,500sqm) facility will include four large hangar bays and provide major component repair and overhaul, transmission testing and repair along with new tooling, a full-sized paint booth, and a spacious warehouse for spare parts.
“We are thrilled to break ground at Whiting Aviation Park on Leonardo Helicopters’ new Florida Support Center,” said Clyde Woltman, chief executive officer of Leonardo Helicopters US. “With this modern and highly efficient facility, Leonardo Helicopters will be able to bring its industry-leading product support services even closer to our customers. We would not be here today if not for the constant partnership and support of the State of Florida, Space Florida, Santa Rosa County, Triumph Gulf Coast, and the United States Navy.”
US Navy support
A large parts warehouse will also be co-located at the support centre. This will enable a more efficient supply chain response for the US Navy’s TH-73 fleet at Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) and for commercial customers operating throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
The company worked closely with partners at Santa Rosa County and Space Florida to select a site at Whiting Aviation Park, a commercial aviation park immediately adjacent to NASWF, for its new comprehensive customer support facility.
“Space Florida’s unwavering commitment to expanding the spaceport system in Florida has set a course for a new era of exploration and innovation,” said Frank DiBello, president and CEO, Space Florida. “Adding Leonardo Helicopters to our aerospace sector propels us toward a future where Florida is the leading force for a global aerospace economy.”
Image: The TH-73A training helicopter produced by Leonardo for the US Navy. Copyright Leonardo S.p.a. and subsidiaries 2020
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