Leonardo announced the launch of Team AW149 UK during the first day of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference at the ExCeL London Centre in Newham, East London, on September 14.
Team AW149 UK represents an onshore supply chain of more than 70 companies nationwide that are supporting Leonardo’s AW149 medium-lift, multi-mission rotorcraft as a proposed solution for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement. While the official requirements have yet-to-be released, the programme will see four legacy rotorcraft fleets from across the UK Armed Forces – including the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) Westland Puma HC2 medium-lift tactical transport helicopters – replaced with a single platform by mid-2025.
During the September 14 announcement, Leonardo revealed that Abaco Systems; Aerco; Chelton; Ford Aerospace; Forged Solutions; Incora; LFD; RDDS Avionics and Techtest Ltd had all joined the Team AW149 UK. The firm noted that each involved company will provide “a vital component to the AW149 military helicopter, from lights to avionics systems and other hardware and software components.”
