Viterbo, situated some 120 kilometres north-west of Rome, has been home to Italian army aviation training for little over fifty years. Nowadays, Viterbo Army Airfield is home to two major flying units as well as the Army Aviation Training Centre (AATC).
In 1976, unit names were introduced, each unit receiving a name referring to a star, a planet or a constellation. Since 1993, Italian Army Aviation has been referred to as the "Aviazione dell’Esercito" (AvEs). The present command structure is still quite complicated, as only the Army’s training and combat support units, which include the Army Aviation Training Centre and the transport helicopters units, are controlled by Army Aviation Headquarters. The combat units, including the A129 Mangusta attack helicopters units, are under control of the "Airmobile Brigade".
AATC, the "Centro Addestramento Aviazione dell’Esercito" provides flight courses for Italian Army pilots, but also training courses for non-flying officers. Besides training, the AATC also has a major role in research and development for operations and new equipment. The AATC has in its inventory all eight helicopter types that are currently operational with the Aviazione dell’Esercito. The AB206, is mainly used for advanced helicopter flight training. The A109, AB205, AB212, AB412, A129 and CH-47C are used for type qualification and operational task training, while the NH90 and A129 are also used for current development and testing programmes.
The 26th has been selected as the Army’s first operational unit to receive the NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter). Ultimately, six NH90s will replace the eight AB412s now flown by the 26th Gr.Sq. Although the 412 is regarded as an almost ideal special operations platform, the NH90 will provide a major improvement. Besides having a higher payload, larger cargo bay and a rear ramp, the NH90 is also equipped with several features lacking in the AB412. It has a weather radar and FLIR, both mounted in the nose, as well as fly-by-wire controls and helmet-mounted displays.
In 1976, unit names were introduced, each unit receiving a name referring to a star, a planet or a constellation. Since 1993, Italian Army Aviation has been referred to as the "Aviazione dell’Esercito" (AvEs). The present command structure is still quite complicated, as only the Army’s training and combat support units, which include the Army Aviation Training Centre and the transport helicopters units, are controlled by Army Aviation Headquarters. The combat units, including the A129 Mangusta attack helicopters units, are under control of the "Airmobile Brigade".
AATC, the "Centro Addestramento Aviazione dell’Esercito" provides flight courses for Italian Army pilots, but also training courses for non-flying officers. Besides training, the AATC also has a major role in research and development for operations and new equipment. The AATC has in its inventory all eight helicopter types that are currently operational with the Aviazione dell’Esercito. The AB206, is mainly used for advanced helicopter flight training. The A109, AB205, AB212, AB412, A129 and CH-47C are used for type qualification and operational task training, while the NH90 and A129 are also used for current development and testing programmes.
The 26th has been selected as the Army’s first operational unit to receive the NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter). Ultimately, six NH90s will replace the eight AB412s now flown by the 26th Gr.Sq. Although the 412 is regarded as an almost ideal special operations platform, the NH90 will provide a major improvement. Besides having a higher payload, larger cargo bay and a rear ramp, the NH90 is also equipped with several features lacking in the AB412. It has a weather radar and FLIR, both mounted in the nose, as well as fly-by-wire controls and helmet-mounted displays.
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| C.295M Czech Air Force 0452 |
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| AB212 Italian Army MM81129/E.I.413 |
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| A129C Italian Army MM81408/E.I.938 |
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| NH90TTH Italian Army MM81518/E.I.201 |
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| NH90TTH Italian Army MM81520/E.I.203 |
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| NH90TTH Italian Army MM81526/E.I.209 |
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| CH-47C Italian Army |
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| Do228-212 Italian Army MM62156/E.I.101 |
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| AB412 Italian Army MM81194/E.I.451 |
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| AB206C-1 Italian Army MM80917/E.I.649, MM80908/E.I.640 |
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