
Airbus Helicopters lodged a protest last week with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) against the Navy choosing Leonardo for the Navy’s new helicopter training aircraft. Last month, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Leonardo’s AugustaWestland a $176 million control to produce and deliver 32 TH-73A Advanced Helicopter Training Systems. The Navy expects to eventually buy up to 130 trainers (Defense Daily, Jan. 13). Navy spokeswoman Connie Hempel confirmed to Defense Daily that the service has issued a stop work order…