Today, the Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini and the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Gen. Alberto Rosso, participated in the induction ceremony of an HH-139B helicopter at Leonardo’s rotorcraft facility in Vergiate, Italy. Key figures in attendance included Leonardo’s CEO Alessandro Profumo, General Manager Lucio Valerio Cioffi, and MD of Leonardo Helicopters, Gian Piero Cutillo. Throughout their visit, the dignitaries were presented with the Company’s industrial capabilities, cutting-edge products, and state-of-the-art technologies, which showcase Leonardo’s dominance in vertical flight and maintain strategic technological competencies within the country.
The HH-139B serves as a specialized variant for the Air Force based on the AW139 design. This aircraft is set to undertake a variety of missions such as SAR – Search and Rescue, firefighting, and Slow Mover Interceptor tasks.
Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini remarked: “Today, the preservation of national sovereignty, from both military and technological perspectives, is ensured thanks to this level of excellence and the collaborations among institutions, Defence, and the industry. Italy boasts exceptional industrial capabilities, with Leonardo epitomizing a nation capable of leveraging a premier global Aerospace, Defence, and Security industry.”
Leonardo’s CEO, Alessandro Profumo, stated: “We take pride in providing our capabilities to ensure that the Italian Air Force can fulfill critical responsibilities such as supporting the national community and safeguarding homeland security. The HH-139B stands as an iconic representation of the technological excellence and international competitiveness of our domestic industry. The Vergiate facility – the largest final assembly line for Leonardo helicopters, employing over 1,000 workers – demonstrates remarkable rotorcraft capabilities in product offerings, manufacturing techniques, and professional expertise, allowing Leonardo and Italy to remain at the forefront of innovation in an increasingly strategic and highly competitive market.”
Over 1,200 AW139 helicopters have been sold to more than 280 clients across over 70 nations, including upwards of 80 for Italian state operators (Air Force, Guardia di Finanza, State Police, Coast Guard, National Firefighting Department, and Carabinieri), alongside emergency medical service providers. This helicopter model incorporates cutting-edge digital technology solutions for flight missions and training (for pilots and maintenance technicians) as well as support. The helicopter’s advanced satellite navigation and synthetic vision systems provide 3D displays of external environments on cockpit interfaces, even under poor visibility, supplemented by sophisticated collision avoidance and proximity systems, mission sensors, and an automated flight control mechanism to assist crews during SAR and hoisting operations in adverse conditions. Additionally, the AW139 includes modern predictive maintenance and diagnostic tools that facilitate precise, swift evaluations and data processing regarding aircraft component health and usage. This enhances the efficiency of maintenance tasks, ultimately increasing operational efficacy and safety. Both flight and maintenance training are extensively conducted in virtual environments and simulations, enabling crews to maximize equipment utilization and achieve optimal performance during missions. Maintenance personnel benefit from virtual training, thus improving the quality and reliability of technical support. These comprehensive capabilities significantly enhance operational safety.
The majority of Leonardo helicopters are assembled at the Vergiate facility, which is also home to the largest variety of helicopter models in its product lineup. Components sourced from Leonardo’s Centres of Excellence in Italy and globally (including airframes, dynamics, avionics, and equipment), along with a broader supply chain, converge and enter the manufacturing process to assemble the complete helicopter. This unit is customized, tested, and delivered to both Italian and international clientele. A significant logistics hub is also established in Vergiate for spare parts inventory and management, as well as for technical support for Leonardo’s global fleet of helicopters, which comprises over 5,000 units utilized by more than 1,200 operators across 150 nations.
