Summary The MH-139A Grey Wolf replaces UH-1 Hueys with improved speed, range, and capabilities. Malstrom AFB receives first MH-139A, while Fairchild AFB retains aging UH-1s for training. MH-139A faces budget concerns triggering the Nunn-McCurdy review due to reduced purchases.
This week, the US Air Force received its first of at least 42 production MH-139A Grey Wolf multi-mission helicopters, which Boeing is the lead contractor on in partnership with Leonardo, the global helicopter manufacturer. Boeing’s MH-139As will serve as security patrol and VIP transport helicopters for the US Air Force. Replacing Some Timeless UH-1 Hueys For the US Air Force, the UH-1 Huey was able to meet its needs for VIP transport worldwide and support the security needs of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fields for decades.
However, the MH-139A offers the US Air Force more range and speed with a 145 knot / 167 mph cruise speed plus a range of 890 miles. As Azeem Khan, MH-139 executive director and program manager shared in a Boeing statement, “This aircraft will directly support ongoing U.S.
Air Force modernization efforts. 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 U.S.
nuclear triad for decades to come.” Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana will receive the first production MH-139A. However, other air force bases, like Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State, will keep their agi.