TH-57 lands aboard decommissioned plane service to affix Museum assortment because the U.S. Navy Navy transitions to the brand new TH-73A Thrasher.
On Jul. 30, 2025, a TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopter belonging to Helicopter Squadron 28 (HT-28) landed aboard decommissioned plane service USS Lexington (CV 16) Museum on the Bay. Based on the U.S. Navy, the touchdown paid tribute to a long time of TH-57C Sea Ranger’s service and marked additionally the U.S. Navy’s transition to the brand new TH-73A Thrasher helicopter.
Helicopter Coaching Squadron (HT) 8, stationed at Naval Air Station Whiting Discipline in Milton, Florida, is likely one of the Navy’s superior helicopter coaching squadrons, whose function is to coach lots of of scholar naval aviators every year. The unit’s work ensures new pilots arrive at their vacation spot squadron within the fleet prepared for frontline operations worldwide.
Greater than 30,000 aviators had been educated within the TH-57C throghout the years. Now completely displayed aboard the “Girl Lex,” the helicopter will proceed to symbolize the Navy’s lengthy heritage of flight coaching.
“Delivering the Sea Ranger to USS Lexington honors a unprecedented legacy of naval aviation coaching right here in South Texas,” mentioned Rear Adm. Wealthy Brophy, Chief of Naval Air Coaching in a public assertion. “Whereas we protect that historical past, we’re equally excited concerning the superior capabilities the TH-73A brings to as we speak’s college students.”
TH-73 Thrasher
In January 2020, Leonardo, by way of AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., was awarded a agency fixed-price contract valued at $176 million for the manufacturing and supply of an preliminary 32 TH-73A helicopters, together with spares, assist, devoted gear and particular pilot/upkeep coaching companies. The TH-73As are a part of the Superior Helicopter Coaching System (AHTS) program that features not solely the helicopters, but additionally new simulators and aircrew coaching companies, a modernized curriculum and a brand new contractor logistics assist contract for the upkeep and flight line assist necessities of the brand new helicopter.
In November 2020, a second lot of 36 plane had been ordered by way of a $171 million USD contract modification and in December 2021, a 3rd lot of 36 plane had been ordered by way of a 159.4 million USD contract modification. A fourth lot for the manufacturing and supply of 26 TH-73A value 110.5 million USD was awarded in December 2022.
The primary Lot 1 TH-73A Thrasher was delivered at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Discipline in Milton, Florida, residence of the Naval Undergraduate Flight Coaching of Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, in August 2021.
The TH-73A, primarily based on the Instrument Flight Guidelines (IFR) licensed variant of the favored business AW119Kx, has been absolutely licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previous to supply, thus bringing a ready-made answer that can transition the TH-57 platforms out of service by 2025, with the primary helicopters anticipated retired throughout fiscal 12 months 2022.
The induction of the TH-73A makes scholar coaching extra reflective of fleet helicopters. The present syllabus sees college students in major aviation coaching initially flying the T-6B Texan II plane, which has a glass show cockpit. Beforehand, if chosen for helicopters, college students would transfer to the TH-57, which has older digital or analogue gauges as an alternative of multi-function shows; after commencement, college students would transfer out to fleet plane, which once more use glass show cockpits. The TH-73A has glass screens which might be consultant of, and mirror extra intently, what pilots will see within the fleet.
