EXCLUSIVE: Italy’s newest attack helicopter completes first flight

The initial prototype of Italy’s next-generation attack helicopter – Leonardo Helicopters’ AW249 – completed its highly anticipated maiden flight at Vergiate Airport near Milan in northern Italy on August 19. Flying under the Italian test serial CSX82069 and sporting a primer livery, this new-generation AW249 gunship prototype was rolled out from its hangar at Vergiate in the morning of August 19 and successfully completed what is believed to be the type’s first flight before 1200hrs (local time). The aircraft then