Boeing Shifts Focus to MH-139A Grey Wolf Production

Boeing is making significant strides towards low-rate initial production of the MH-139A Grey Wolf following the successful completion of the program’s Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) phase. The company recently delivered the sixth and final test aircraft to the U.S. Air Force in the previous month.

Azeem Khan, MH-139 program director, noted, “Delivering all of the RDT&E aircraft to the Air Force enables them to continue critical operational testing and allows Boeing to focus on building the first production aircraft.” Khan emphasized the Grey Wolf’s role in enhancing national security capabilities for the Air Force, marking a crucial step toward its deployment.

Boeing’s timeline anticipates delivering the first low-rate production aircraft to the customer by 2024. Thus far, the Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract to manufacture the initial 13 aircraft, with the first unit already in the final assembly stage. Boeing’s commitment extends to supplying up to 80 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters for the Air Force.

Robert Beyer, MH-139 Senior Program Manager at Leonardo Helicopters US, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming production phase, highlighting the MH-139’s advanced capabilities. Beyer stated, “With the MH-139, the United States Air Force is getting a faster and more capable aircraft to bring them into a new era of service for this mission.” Leonardo Helicopters US looks forward to collaborating further with Boeing and the USAF to deliver additional Grey Wolf helicopters.

The MH-139A aircraft will play a pivotal role in replacing the UH-1N Huey, serving critical functions such as safeguarding intercontinental ballistic missiles across the United States and facilitating the transportation of VIPs and security personnel.

Photo: An MH-139A Grey Wolf lifts off for a mission Aug. 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Grey Wolf sortie was the first flight since the Air Force took over ownership of the aircraft Aug. 12. It also marked the first all-Air Force personnel flight in the Air Force’s newest helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, media.defense.gov