Air Force Orders Grey Wolves with Training

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract valued at more than $173 million for eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, along with training and sustainment services.

Following a $178 million award for seven aircraft in April, this new order brings the total number of helicopters under contract to 34. The Lot 3 award includes the first aircraft planned for delivery to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

The Air Force recently completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation flights as the MH-139A program continues advancing toward Initial Operational Capability. To date, 18 aircraft have been delivered, including 12 from low-rate initial production. Earlier this year, Boeing completed deliveries for the first operational unit at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and expects to provide four more aircraft before year’s end.

Based on the Leonardo AW139 platform and modified with military-specific equipment, the MH-139A supports missions including patrol, search and rescue, and transport of personnel and cargo.

“The MH-139A offers increased speed, range and payload capacity critical to supporting U.S. national security missions,” said Azeem Khan, MH-139 program director.