At the end of April of 2024, the United States Air Force (USAF) awarded Boeing a contract to produce seven more MH-139A Grey Wolf rotorcraft. The agreement is worth 178 million USD and includes delivery, sustainment and training support.
The MH-139A is a multi-mission military helicopter based on AW139 developed by AgustaWestland rotorcraft manufacturer (now part of the Leonardo group). The Grey Wolf team consists of Boeing, as the prime contractor, and Leonardo as an original equipment manufacturer.
Leonardo produces the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia, while Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement, as well as its installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.
The MH-139A is designed to perform a variety of tasks. The rotorcraft can be used for patrol, search and rescue duties, as well as for troop and cargo transport. In 2018, the Grey Wolf was chosen by the USAF to replace its UH-1N fleet.
´Building the Grey Wolf fleet and paving the way towards full rate production is a critical step in supporting the Air Force’s modernization priorities,´ said Azeem Khan, MH-139 program director. ´Delivering on these commitments and getting more capability into the hands of our customers is important to their mission protecting vital national assets.´
Although the initial USAF estimation was to acquire eighty-four MH-139 aircraft, the first pre-order included only seventy-four examples. At the beginning of 2024, that number was limited to only thirty-six Grey Wolfs until the end of 2029.
The latest order, however, brings the total number of aircraft under the valid USAF contract to twenty-six. The first field-ready MH-139A rotorcraft are expected to be delivered later this year.
Cover photo: MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters.
All photos and quotations © Boeing. Information from the Boeing Company press releases were used.
