On the first anniversary of Kopter becoming part of Leonardo Helicopters, the Italian manufacturer has announced a new branding to bring the SH09 helicopter into the the Leonardo nomenclature – from now on it will be known as the AW09.

The visual branding of the AW09 includes the Kopter logo after the “9”, which refers to the Swiss heritage of the product and is an adaption of the Swiss flag with rotor blades

The program currently has just one prototype flying, known as PS3. This will be joined later in 2021 with both PS4 and PS5.  Certification is targeted for 2022-2023, but with only one prototype currently available – and two more still to join the program – we consider it most unlikely to be earlier than 2023.

Longer term evolution of the AW09 program will be looking at a hybrid-electric powerplant, and the platform is being built with changes in propulsion technology in mind.

Considering that Leonardo now has two single-engined products has confirmed that they see the AW09 and AW119 products separately. The US Navy training program – under which they plan on acquiring 130 AW119s under the TH-73 military designation – has allowed various

HeliHub.com has also clarified with Leonardo that the AW009 branding no longer exists for the distinctly smaller helicopter developed by Leonardo-owned PZL Swidnik in Poland. That program is now known by its original name SW4.