The United States Air Force (USAF) recently received helicopters number 9, 10, and 11 of the MH-139A Grey Wolf program at Maxwell Air Force Base. These aircraft, manufactured locally in Philadelphia, based on the Leonardo AW139 platform, and developed in partnership with Boeing Defense, are part of the fleet modernization process aimed at protecting U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile silo facilities.
Testing and Evaluation Process
On January 28, the Air Force deployed two of these helicopters on a one-week Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) mission under the responsibility of the 550th Helicopter Squadron. The objective was to assess the MH-139A’s performance in a realistic operational environment, in its role as the future replacement for the UH-1N Huey, which has been in service for more than 50 years in intercontinental ballistic missile security missions.
During the exercise, the MH-139As operated alongside two UH-1Ns from the 40th Helicopter Squadron. Three flights with different objectives were conducted: the first evaluated their ability to support a ground convoy, while the other two tested emergency response speed, focusing on facility recovery operations in the event of an attack.
According to the official statement: “The helicopters responded to a simulated threat with a full load of tactical response force and weapons onboard. Congress mandates IOT&E to ensure the aircraft can successfully perform its assigned missions, as well as to provide evidence confirming that the MH-139 can seamlessly assume the UH-1N Huey’s mission without any degradation in capability. Once IOT&E is complete, a report will be compiled to inform the 550th Helicopter Squadron and Air Force Global Strike Command on the aircraft’s performance. At that point, AFGSC can formally assign the nuclear security mission to the MH-139, allowing the UH-1N Huey to be retired from service.”
Current Delivery Status
In January, Boeing delivered the sixth production helicopter to the Air Force, built in Philadelphia and assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, home of the 341st Missile Wing. This marked the arrival of the first Grey Wolf at that base.
So far, the U.S. Air Force has received 11 of the 26 planned units. This number represents nearly half of the originally scheduled helicopters, as in March 2024 it was announced that purchases would be reduced to less than 50% of the initial projection. In April, the program registered a slight rebound with the acquisition of seven additional units for $178 million.
The MH-139A Grey Wolf program seeks to ensure the gradual replacement of the UH-1N Huey, an iconic aircraft since the Vietnam War, still used today to guard U.S. ballistic missile fields.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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