MH-139
ATLANTA—Boeing plans to deliver the final pair of developmental MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters to the U.S. Air Force in July-August as program partner Leonardo gears up to produce the initial set of 13 production aircraft ordered under a newly awarded $285 million Defense Department contract.
“The Air Force is in deep developmental testing and they plan to go to initial operational test and evaluation testing at the end of the year,” says Azeem Khan, Boeing MH-139A program director. “Right now we’re closing up on remaining certification activities. We’re planning to get those done by the end of the middle to end of the summer time frame,” he adds.
Kahn spoke at this week’s Helicopter Association International’s Heli-Expo here.
The Air Force selected the MH-139, a derivative of the civil AW139 medium-twin, in 2018 to replace a fleet of aging Bell UH-1N Hueys which provide security for nuclear launch sites and air evacuation for government VIPs in Washington. The operational test phase will evaluate new tactics and procedures developed to optimize MH-139 performance. A provisional MH-139A helicopter squadron, the 550th, will be stood up in Malmstrom AFB, Montana, to focus on preparing flight crews and maintainers.
Leonardo will produce the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia, while Boeing will be responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft. Four developmental aircraft were delivered in 2022 to the Air Force, which eventually plans to acquire a fleet of 84. The MH-139 has 50% greater speed and range and a 5,000 lb. higher gross weight than the UH-1N it will replace.
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