Italian aerospace company Leonardo has formally announced the start of construction on its new customer support centre in Milton, Florida, US.

The facility is located at Whiting Aviation Park, a site adjacent to the Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) naval base.

Plans to build a helicopter support centre at the aviation park were officially announced by the company in 2019.

Leonardo is set to invest more than $65m in this new facility’s construction, fit-out, and tooling alongside its partner Space Florida.

The 113,000ft² Leonardo Helicopters Florida Support Center will feature four large hangar bays, a Dynamic Test Bench, a paint booth, and any related tools and equipment, as well as a major overhaul to component maintenance at the site.

A major parts warehouse will also be co-located at the NASWF base to provide a more effective supply chain response for the US Navy’s TH-73 aircraft fleet and various commercial clients across the Gulf of Mexico.

The centre is scheduled to open before the end of next year.

Leonardo Helicopters US CEO Clyde Woltman said: “We are thrilled to break ground at Whiting Aviation Park on Leonardo Helicopters’ new Florida Support Center.

“With this modern and highly efficient facility, Leonardo Helicopters will be able to bring its industry-leading product support services even closer to our customers.

“We would not be here today if not for the constant partnership and support of the state of Florida, Space Florida, Santa Rosa County, Triumph Gulf Coast, and the United States Navy.”