Boeing delivers first production Grey Wolf to US Air Force
Boeing has 26 MH-139As on contact. (Photo: Boeing)
Boeing announced in November last year that it was transitioning towards the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after delivering the sixth and final test aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF).
Boeing has delivered the first LRIP MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter to the USAF, marking a major milestone in a US$2.4 billion programme to replace the force’s UH-1N Huey helicopters.
In 2024, USAF ordered an additional seven MH-139As from Boeing with six Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft already delivered. Boeing currently has 26 aircraft on contract.
The aircraft is the military variant of the AW139. Leonardo produces the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia and Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.
The aircraft has a particular role in USAF service for protecting nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota but is also used to transport US officials and security forces.
It has an increased carrying capacity over the AW139 it is based on with a 300kg increase in load. The company has highlighted the commonality between the two versions as a way to reduce operating costs and improve the supply chain.
In December 2018 it was announced that FLIR Systems had been selected by Boeing to provide its Star Safire 380-HDc EO/IR surveillance sensor for the first four aircraft.
If February 2020, the USAF announced that it had started the operational fight tests of MH-139. The tests were conducted by Detachment 7 of Duke Field in collaboration with 413th Fight Test Squadron.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped]()
Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the decision to discontinue discussions on the fighter training detachment was mutually agreed with the US.
-
![India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals]()
India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals
With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.
-
![Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF]()
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
![Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade]()
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
![How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape]()
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
-
![Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion]()
Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion
The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.
