The AW149’s tour began in January 2023, when the latest-generation helicopter visited the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop in Hampshire. Leonardo’s STEM ambassadors were on hand to teach local school pupils about the principles of flight and open their eyes to the world of engineering in a fun and interactive way.

Later that month, the AW149 landed at Northern Devon aerospace company Helitune. The company is a key member of Team AW149 UK, Leonardo’s cohort of UK suppliers that will contribute to the platform, should the AW149 be chosen. Helitune used the helicopter’s visit to welcome school, college and university visitors to the company’s open day event at its headquarters in Torrington. Visitors were able to get a close look at the AW149 and to learn more about its performance from Chief Test Pilot, Mark Burnand and Senior Test Pilot, Lee Evans.

Gabriella Ardessi, Campaign Manager at Leonardo Helicopters UK, commented: “Helitune is a key South West company and an integral member of Leonardo’s Team AW149 UK. Opening its doors to local schools will have a positive impact on overcoming the serious skills shortage in science and engineering, not just in the South West, but across the UK. It will enable the next generation to see the exciting world of engineering, from the laboratory to the skies.”

The next stop for the AW149 military helicopter saw the aircraft visit the employees and apprentices from Ford Aerospace in Newcastle – another key member of Team AW149 UK. As part of the visit, engineering students from Gateshead College were invited to the City Heliport, to see how their skills will play a part in supporting Leonardo’s AW149.

Helen Haxell, Communications Manager at Leonardo Helicopters UK, described why visiting AW149 stakeholders across the UK was an important part of the company’s campaign: “Today is about engaging with Ford Aerospace and their engineers to show them up close and personal the aircraft and what their technology will be doing on-board the helicopter.”

Shortly after the AW149’s visit, Leonardo announced that it is investing in a new high-technology science and engineering facility on Newcastle Helix, where it expects to employ over 200 people at the new site, generating over £185 million of economic benefit in the region over the next ten years. The development will allow Leonardo to access talent from across the North East of England and build closer links with small and medium sized businesses throughout the region, many of which are already part of Leonardo’s nationwide supply chain.

The final stop of the tour saw the helicopter returning to Somerset and visiting Yeovil College, the first community member of Team AW149 UK. Leonardo’s Yeovil site has a long-established relationship with the college, with thousands of Leonardo trainees and employees being educated there over the past 60 years.

The helicopter visited the campus as part of National Apprenticeship Week. The visit consisted of a series of talks to students, with Senior Test Pilot (and former apprentice) Lee Evans and Leonardo Helicopters UK Managing Director Adam Clark on hand to discuss the variety of career opportunities available at Leonardo. The helicopter was present throughout the evening as prospective students visited the college for its apprenticeship fair.

Speaking about the AW149’s tour of the UK, Adam said: “The recent visits of the AW149 to many of the aircraft’s stakeholders demonstrate the positive impact that winning the UK’s New Medium Helicopter contract will have – not only for our Home of British Helicopters in Yeovil, but to our people, the supply chain, and communities across the UK. It was really exciting to hear how warmly the AW149 was welcomed at the sites we visited and we look forward to working together more.”