Boeing has secured a $173-million contract from the US Air Force for eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, along with associated training and sustainment support.
The order increases the total number of Grey Wolves under contract to 34. Boeing has so far delivered 18 aircraft, including 12 from earlier low-rate production lots.
The new batch will be the first assigned to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Based on the Leonardo AW139 civilian platform, the twin-engine MH-139A has been adapted by Boeing for US military use.
It supports missions such as search and rescue, patrol, personnel and equipment transport, and missile field security.
Production and final assembly take place at Boeing’s facility in Philadelphia, while Leonardo supplies the airframes from its plant in northeast Italy.
This partnership allows Boeing to integrate specialized military systems such as advanced avionics, defensive equipment, and secure communications tailored to US Air Force requirements.
Recent Developments in US Helicopter Operations
The Grey Wolf program is part of the US Air Force’s effort to replace its aging UH-1N Huey fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s.
The MH-139A recently completed initial operational testing and evaluation, demonstrating its performance in convoy escort, base defense, and nuclear security support roles.
It has also begun integration into joint training activities. Earlier this year, the 908th Operations Support Squadron deployed the Grey Wolf during a readiness exercise at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, marking its first participation in a large-scale Air Force training event.
The helicopter has also supported trials with the 582nd Helicopter Group, which oversees nuclear missile field security operations across multiple US states.
