Leonardo Helicopters has secured US Federal Aviation Administration approval for its AgustaWestland AW169 medium twin.

Deliveries to US customers are due to begin later this year, it says.

The manufacturer says that it has delivered “over 20” examples of the 4.8t helicopter to customers since achieving European certification in July 2015.

Leonardo initially intended to split production of the AW169 between its sites in Italy and the USA, but has since opted to concentrate it at its Vergiate plant near Milan.

Source: FlightGlobal.com