Leonardo has opened its Florida Support Center at Whiting Aviation Park in Santa Rosa County, marking a $65 million investment in U.S. military and civil helicopter support.

Located next to Naval Air Station Whiting Field, the purpose-built facility provides maintenance, logistics and sustainment for the Navy’s TH-73A training helicopters, while also extending Leonardo’s customer services to civil operators across the southeast United States. The centre is fully operational under FAA Part 145 certification.

The 73,000 sq ft facility features a paint booth, a dynamic test bench for transmission repair, a spare parts warehouse and tooling to deliver maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Thirty-six jobs have already been created, with more to come as demand grows.

“This facility reflects the power of partnership,” says Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters U.S. “With its proximity to NAS Whiting Field, we’re proud to offer world-class sustainment for the TH-73A programme while expanding support for civil operators in the region.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also attended the opening, adding: “Leonardo's support centre is not only a win for our state's economy, it's a commitment to future military readiness and workforce development.”

The centre supports both military and civil rotorcraft, serving operators in EMS, law enforcement, utility and VIP transport.