Leonardo has received an order for three AW139 helicopters, which were acquired by Monroe County in Florida, United States. These helicopters will be operated by Trauma Star, a collaborative effort between the fire department and the sheriff’s office of Monroe County. Their primary role will be to serve as air ambulances across the Florida archipelago, stationed at the Lower Keys Medical Center and the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport.
Monroe County is the southernmost county in both Florida and the United States, encompassing cities such as Key West, Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Layton, and Islamorada. It covers an area of 3,737 square miles, with 73% of its surface covered by water.
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Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay explained that the exhaustive search for an aircraft to modernize Trauma Star’s aging Sikorsky S76 helicopter fleet aimed to reduce operating costs and minimize downtime due to unscheduled maintenance. The AW139 is the only helicopter that fits Trauma Star’s mission profile. It is capable of covering the necessary distances, transporting required loads, and using existing landing zones. Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters US, added that they are excited about their partnership with Monroe County and are confident that their product will meet the needs.
The helicopters will be delivered from Leonardo’s production facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are expected to arrive between late 2024 and early 2025, replacing the existing fleet. To date, over 1,100 AW139 units have been sold to civilian, government, and military operators worldwide. In the United States, these helicopters are used in EMS, SAR, firefighting, and other critical missions. They are present in Florida, New Jersey, Maryland, and California. These helicopters feature advanced systems to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload. Additionally, the main transmission can operate without lubrication for more than 60 minutes.
