This was Leonardo's entry for the US Navy's competition for a new training helicopter. This entry won, and the now designated TH-73A is in production. All USN undergraduate rotary wing training is conducted at NAS Whiting Field, FL., which is approximately 15 miles north east of NAS Pensacola.

First flying as N629JS with AgustaWestland in 2008, this Koala was delivered to Air Mercy Service in South Africa as ZS-RRN in 2009. Re-acquired by Leonardo Helicopters in 2018, it was upgraded for the US Navy TH-73 competition to replace the Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger. Certified for single engine IFR, it won the contract against the Bell 407 GXi and Airbus H135.