Sabelt and Leonardo present the helicopter seat with an integrated seatbelt, one of the lightest in the world

Sabelt and Leonardo today presented the prototype of an innovative high-tech helicopter seat with an integrated seatbelt, the result of an industrial collaboration between the two companies.

This partnership is part of "Growing Together," Leonardo's program to develop a national vertical flight industry, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and promoting Italian excellence.

The multi-decade agreement includes the design, development, and supply of pilot, co-pilot, and passenger seats, with integrated seatbelts, for Leonardo's main helicopter platforms: AW169, AW139, AW189, and AW09. Sabelt seats will be certified in compliance with the latest EASA (ETSO) safety standards.

This collaboration brings together two highly innovative companies and leaders in their respective sectors: Sabelt, an Italian leader in the design, development, and production of high-performance sports seats, seatbelts, and other components for the automotive and aerospace industries, and Leonardo, a leading global player in Aerospace, Defense, and Security and the world's leading manufacturer of civil helicopters.

"For Sabelt, this project is much more than an industrial collaboration: it demonstrates how Italian expertise can be competitive even in the most advanced sectors," commented Giorgio Marsiaj, Founder, President, and CEO of Sabelt S.p.a. "We are bringing to the world of vertical flight the experience gained in over fifty years of motorsports and automotive, from which we have transferred our expertise in safety, lightweight design, and design—elements that have always defined our identity. It is a concrete example of how the synergy between Italian excellences can generate value and international competitiveness."

"The prototype presented today with Sabelt is concrete proof of Leonardo's ability to transfer technological excellence and vertical flight expertise to Italian companies ready to take on the challenge of innovation. This is a significant milestone for the "Growing Together" program, which aims to bring over €1 billion in foreign supplies to Italy annually," said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo's Helicopters Division, adding: "This initiative responds to a specific need for Leonardo and will help strengthen its competitiveness thanks to a solid and reliable supply chain."

Andrea Tronzano, Regional Councilor for Budget, Productive Activities, and Internationalization, stated: "The collaboration between Sabelt and Leonardo demonstrates Piedmont's ability to compete in the most technologically advanced sectors, such as aerospace. Our commitment is to empower companies to find real jobs by supporting those who invest in innovation and quality. The meetings initiated with leading aerospace companies are also moving in this direction: creating new growth opportunities and strengthening the Piedmont supply chain internationally."