Military Wiki
in: Pages containing cite templates with deprecated parameters, All articles with dead external links, Articles with dead external links from March 2025,
and 8 more

Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf

Sign in to edit
MH-139 Grey Wolf
An MH-139A Grey Wolf lands at Duke Field, Florida, in 2019
Role Medium lift helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing
Leonardo
First flight 2019
Introduction 2020
Status In service, in production
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from AgustaWestland AW139

The Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf is a twin-engine helicopter operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) for security and support missions. Developed by Boeing, the Grey Wolf is a variant of the Leonardo AW139, an Italian-built multi-role helicopter.

Development[]

On 24 September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.4 billion contract to replace the aging UH-1N helicopter fleet, with the goal of enhancing security patrols of nuclear missile fields and transporting senior officials.[1] This was the first major acquisition for the Air Force Global Strike Command in its 10-year history, following the cancellation of the previous Common Vertical Lift Support Program (CVLSP).[2][3] As part of this initiative, Boeing was awarded a $285-million contract to build the first 13 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, to guard America's nuclear ballistic missiles.[4][5]

The MH-139A Grey Wolf takes its first combined test flight on February 11, 2020, at .

The MH-139A Grey Wolf takes its first combined test flight on February 11, 2020, at Eglin Air Force Base.

The MH-139A Grey Wolf is to be used for security patrols, search and rescue missions, and personnel and cargo transport.[6] The Air Force's first intention was to purchase 84 helicopters for security and transportation across extensive intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fields, and senior leader and executive airlift in the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), also known as the National Capital Region. It is also to be used in aircrew survival training.[7]

The precise quantity of the MH-139 fleet remains unknown. Initially, the requirement was for up to 84 helicopters, which was then reduced to 80, then 74. The most recent Fiscal Year 2025 budget suggests a further reduction, to a fleet of 36 MH-139s.[8] The Grey Wolf program has faced numerous setbacks and delays, including difficulty with attaining Federal Aviation Administration type certification. Typically, FAA certification is not required for US military aircraft, but it is for the MH-139 because the helicopters are to be required to operate extensively within US domestic airspace.[9]

Design[]

The MH-139A Grey Wolf features military and commercial system integration capabilities that play a crucial role in the Grey Wolf program.[10] It features an integrated training system based on existing AW139 operational flight trainers. Its sustainment tools ensure seamless USG interfaces. A global Commercial/DoD support system ensures efficient parts procurement. The unique design enables maintainers to conduct all aircraft maintenance at the operational level.[11]

The helicopter is propelled by two FADEC-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboshaft engines, housed in separate engine turbine burst containment boxes, each with independent inputs to the main gearbox. The engines' infrared signature has been decreased by lowering airflow and using a directed exhaust, reducing plume impingement upon the tail fuselage.[12]

Operational history[]

The Grey Wolf was unveiled and named during the ceremony at Duke Field, Florida.

The Grey Wolf was unveiled and named during the ceremony at Duke Field, Florida.

In March 2024, the first field-ready MH-139 Grey Wolf arrived at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base.[13] The 341st Missile Wing captured footage of Malmstrom's first Grey Wolf arriving at the base.[14] The 908th Airlift Wing introduced the MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter at Maxwell Air Force Base on 31 May 2024.[15] On September 1, 2023, the Pentagon issued a Selected Acquisition Report outlining plans to reintroduce 14 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters into the Air Force's program, bringing the total to at least 56 aircraft. This reverses a previous decision to cut the buy to 42 helicopters in the 2025 fiscal year, helping avoid a critical cost breach under Nunn-McCurdy.[16][17]

Operators[]

A MH-139 Grey Wolf of the during preflight checks at , August 2022

A MH-139 Grey Wolf of the 96th Test Wing during preflight checks at Eglin AFB, August 2022

 United States

See also[]

Template:Portal

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References[]

  1. ↑ "MH-139 Grey Wolf Archives" (in en-US). https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapons-platforms/mh-139/. 
  2. ↑ "Air Force names newest helicopter 'Grey Wolf'" (in en-US). 2019-12-19. https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2044832/air-force-names-newest-helicopter-grey-wolf/. 
  3. ↑ Gregg, Aaron (2018-10-03). "Boeing wins $2.4 billion Air Force helicopter contract in major upset to Lockheed Martin" (in en-US). Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/09/25/boeing-wins-billion-air-force-helicopter-contract-major-upset-lockheed-martin/. 
  4. ↑ Pawlyk, Oriana (2023-04-27). "More Than a Decade Later, the Air Force Finally Picks a Huey Replacement" (in en). https://www.military.com/defensetech/2018/09/24/boeing-wins-air-force-contract-replace-uh-1n-huey-helicopters.html. 
  5. ↑ Vandenbosch. "Boeing Delivers First MH-139A Grey Wolf to US Air Force" (in en-gb). https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2024/boeing-delivers-first-mh-139a-grey-wolf-to-us-air-force. 
  6. ↑ "Boeing Awarded Contract for Seven Additional MH-139A Helicopters". https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=131423. 
  7. ↑ Hadley, Greg (2024-03-15). "USAF Slashes Plans for MH-139 Helicopter Fleet Size, Locations" (in en-US). https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-cuts-mh-139-helicopter-fleet/. 
  8. ↑ D'Urso, Stefano (2024-05-02). "Amid Uncertainty, U.S. Air Force Orders Additional MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopters" (in en-US). https://theaviationist.com/2024/05/02/usaf-orders-additional-mh-139s/. 
  9. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (2024-03-13). "Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half" (in en-US). https://www.twz.com/air/air-force-wants-to-slash-mh-139-grey-wolf-helicopter-purchases-in-half. 
  10. ↑ "MH-139A Grey Wolf" (in en-US). https://www.boeing.com/content/theboeingcompany/us/en/defense/mh-139a. 
  11. ↑ "MH-139A Grey Wolf Multi-Mission Helicopter, US" (in en-US). https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mh-139a-grey-wolf-multi-mission-helicopter/. 
  12. ↑ "MH-139A Grey Wolf Multi-Mission Helicopter, US" (in en-US). https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mh-139a-grey-wolf-multi-mission-helicopter/. 
  13. ↑ Cohen, Rachel (2024-03-15). "Air Force's first Grey Wolf patrol helicopter arrives at Malmstrom" (in en). https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2024/03/15/air-forces-first-grey-wolf-patrol-helicopter-arrives-at-malmstrom/. 
  14. ↑ "Malmstrom celebrates arrival of its first Grey Wolf helicopter" (in en-US). 2024-03-09. https://www.malmstrom.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3702217/malmstrom-celebrates-arrival-of-its-first-grey-wolf-helicopter/. 
  15. ↑ Welsh, Mickey. "The MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter shown by 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base" (in en-US). https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/05/31/mh-139a-grey-wolf-helicopter-shown-at-maxwell-air-force-base/73928366007/. 
  16. ↑ Marrow, Michael (2024-09-03). "Air Force to add back over a dozen MH-139 helos in FY26, averting 'critical' cost breach" (in en-US). https://breakingdefense.com/2024/09/air-force-to-add-back-over-a-dozen-mh-139-helos-in-fy26-averting-critical-cost-breach/. 
  17. ↑ Marrow, Michael (2024-09-04). "Air Force To Add Back Over a Dozen MH-139 Helos in FY26 | RealClearDefense" (in en). https://www.realcleardefense.com/2024/09/04/air_force_to_add_back_over_a_dozen_mh-139_helos_in_fy26_1056010.html. 
  18. ↑ "Grey Wolf gets dirty in austere landing tests (photos)" (in en-US). 2024-04-08. https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3734370/grey-wolf-gets-dirty-in-austere-landing-tests-photos/https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3734370/grey-wolf-gets-dirty-in-austere-landing-tests-photos/. [dead link]Template:Cbignore
  19. ↑ "908th Airlift Wing receives their first MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter since becoming first" (in en-US). 2024-04-03. https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3729842/908th-airlift-wing-receives-their-first-mh-139a-grey-wolf-helicopter-since-beco/https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3729842/908th-airlift-wing-receives-their-first-mh-139a-grey-wolf-helicopter-since-beco/. [dead link]Template:Cbignore
  20. ↑ "Malmstrom celebrates arrival of its first Grey Wolf helicopter" (in en-US). 2024-03-09. https://www.20af.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3702784/malmstrom-celebrates-arrival-of-its-first-grey-wolf-helicopter/https://www.20af.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3702784/malmstrom-celebrates-arrival-of-its-first-grey-wolf-helicopter/. [dead link]Template:Cbignore
All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf and the edit history here.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.