#Sponsored Content


LEONARDO’S NEXT GENERATION: AW169 AND AW09 DRIVING VERTICAL LIFT


In aviation, progress is measured not just by flight hours but also by how well aircraft evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of operators. Leonardo is doing both: building on the proven success of its AW169 while charting a new course with the AW09. Together, these helicopters illustrate the company’s vision for the future of vertical lift: flexible, capable, and tailored to the needs of its customers.


AW169: VERSATILITY IN ACTION


Few helicopters embody versatility as thoroughly as the AW169. Positioned in the light-intermediate category, it delivers the efficiency of a smaller aircraft with the space, payload and performance of a larger one.


Since its debut, the AW169 has proven itself across a range of missions including emergency medical services, disaster relief, law enforcement, firefighting and defense.


The aircraft’s design speaks directly to operator needs. A spacious, flat-floor cabin with wide sliding doors allows rapid


60 Sept/Oct 2025


loading and in-flight patient care for EMS providers. Its ability to hot-load patients, quickly configure interiors, and deliver a smooth ride makes it especially valuable in life-saving missions. At the same time, its performance profile enables governments and security agencies to adapt it for surveillance, troop transport, rescue and medevac.


Technological investment has kept the AW169 ahead of its class. Certified in late 2021 with performance upgrades, it remains the only helicopter in its weight category certified for Advanced Search and Rescue (SAR) Modes, capable of flying preprogrammed search paths and supporting single-pilot SAR operations. Continuous improvements — from skid landing gear integration to avionics advancements, such as the Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS) and Offshore Modes — demonstrate how Leonardo continually enhances the platform’s safety and mission readiness.


The results speak for themselves: over 370 aircraft ordered, 160 delivered, and


more than 160,000 flight hours logged across 30-plus countries. Whether flying offshore in the United States or performing EMS in Sweden’s harsh winter conditions, the AW169 is a trusted and proven asset.


AW09: A NEW CHAPTER


While the AW169 demonstrates Leonardo’s strength in the intermediate category, the AW09 signals a bold move into the light single-engine market. In August 2025, the program reached a pivotal moment when the S6, the first serial-production representative helicopter, took its maiden flight at Leonardo’s Vergiate facility in Italy. The event marked the transition from development prototypes to full industrialization.


The certification campaign is moving at pace, supported by Pre-Series aircraft PS4 and PS5. Milestones such as engine icing trials, bird strike compliance progress, and rotor fatigue testing highlight how close the program is to completion. In parallel, production


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92