The US Air Force has taken delivery of its first MH-139A Grey Wolf multi-role helicopter produced under a low-rate initial production contract awarded to Boeing.
The manufacturer said in a press release that the military chopper recently arrived at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, where it will help secure the country’s nuclear missile sites.
“Delivering this asset for the MH-139A fleet is critical to the future of national security as the Grey Wolf will play a crucial role in the US nuclear triad for decades to come,” program manager Azeem Khan stated.
The US Air Force previously received six Grey Wolfs, but they were all test and evaluation aircraft.
Boeing is set to deliver a total of 26 MH-139A choppers as part of the low-rate production agreement.
“This aircraft is the first production aircraft on contract and officially marks the start of low-rate production deliveries and paves the way for the Air Force to make [a] full-rate production decision in the future,” the company noted.
A Modified AW139
The MH-139A Grey Wolf is a modified version of Leonardo’s AW139 15-seat commercial helicopter.
It is designed primarily to protect America’s nuclear and ballistic missile facilities, as well as assume transport roles when needed.
According to Boeing, the helicopter boasts a 50 percent increase in speed and range compared to legacy platforms.
It is also equipped with state-of-the-art avionics with advanced flight deck functionality and enhanced situational awareness.
Thanks to its commercial off-the-shelf components, the MH-139A offers low operating costs and improved maintainability.
Once delivered, the Grey Wolfs under contract will replace the service’s UH-1N choppers being used for security missions at bases housing Minuteman III nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles.
