The first serial production USAF MH-139A “Grey Wolf” has entered final assembly at Leonardo’s Philadelphia plant. The helicopter is the first in an initial batch of 13. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2024.
Derived from the civilian Leonardo Helicopters AW139 intermediate twin, the Boeing-Leonardo MH-139A is intended to replace the USAF’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1Ns, which are used for security patrol at nuclear missile sites and to transport VIPs in the Washington, D.C. region. Boeing was awarded a $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for up to 84 helicopters, training systems, and associated support equipment. While subcontractor Leonardo manufactures the airframe, prime contractor Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement, installation, and post-delivery support of the aircraft from its facility in Ridley Township, Pennsylvania.
Compared with the UH-1N, the MH-139A is 50 percent faster, has 50 percent more range, can lift 5,000 more pounds, and has a 30 percent larger cabin. The cabin can accommodate nine combat-equipped troops and their related security equipment or 15 other passengers. Earlier this year, the Pentagon’s Office of Test and Evaluation (OT&E) raised concerns related to the installation of a variety of militarized components and noted that the MH-139A’s expanded performance envelope over the AW139 “may stress powertrain components and increase maintenance requirements.”