The United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $173 million for the production of eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, along with training and logistical support services. The aerospace company highlighted that “…the MH-139A offers greater speed, range, and payload capacity—critical aspects to support U.S. national security missions,” said Azeem Khan, MH-139 program director. “We look forward to delivering these advanced aircraft to bases across the country,” he added.
The new contract follows a $178 million award made last April for the manufacture of seven units, bringing the total number of helicopters ordered to 34. This latest batch includes the first aircraft to be deployed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
The MH-139A program recently completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flights, a key step toward achieving Initial Operational Capability. To date, Boeing has delivered 18 aircraft, including 12 from the Low-Rate Initial Production phase. The company has completed deliveries for the first operational squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and expects to deliver four more helicopters before the end of the year.
Based on Leonardo Helicopters’ AW139 platform and modified by Boeing with military equipment, the MH-139A is a multirole helicopter designed for patrol, search and rescue, and troop and cargo transport missions. “The MH-139A Grey Wolf represents the best of cooperation and proven capability,” said Robert Beyer, senior program manager for the MH-139 at Leonardo Helicopters. “By building on the AW139 platform, we’ve been able to provide U.S. forces with a versatile aircraft that is already proving its worth. With each new batch, we continue to strengthen national security missions while supporting American manufacturing and jobs.”
In parallel, the Air Force continues to receive new units of the model. In January, Boeing delivered the sixth production helicopter to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and the 9th, 10th, and 11th aircraft were recently incorporated at Maxwell Air Force Base. These were part of the IOT&E tests conducted by the 550th Helicopter Squadron, which assessed the Grey Wolf’s performance as the future replacement for the veteran UH-1N Huey in intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) security missions.
During the exercises, the MH-139A operated alongside UH-1N units in convoy support and emergency response operations. According to an official statement, “the helicopters responded to a simulated threat carrying a full load of tactical response forces and weapons on board,” demonstrating their ability to take over the UH-1N’s missions without any loss of capability.
Once the evaluation process is completed, the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) will formally assign the MH-139 to the nuclear security mission, marking the progressive retirement of the UH-1N Huey after more than five decades of service.
Cover image courtesy of Boeing.
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