Boeing Secures $173 Million Contract for Additional MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopters

By Garth Calitz

In a continued vote of confidence for Boeing’s rotorcraft modernisation efforts, the US Air Force has awarded the aerospace manufacturer a $173 million contract for the production of eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, including comprehensive training and sustainment support services. The latest order reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to replacing its venerable UH-1N “Huey” fleet, which for decades has safeguarded America’s nuclear missile fields and provided essential transport and security missions.

This new contract follows the Air Force’s April 2024 order for seven aircraft valued at $178 million, bringing the total number of Grey Wolfs under contract to 34 helicopters. Among the new batch is the first aircraft slated for operational deployment to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota—one of the service’s key installations supporting the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations.

To date, Boeing has delivered 18 MH-139A helicopters, including 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) units. Deliveries for the first operational detachment at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, were completed earlier this year. Four additional aircraft are expected to be handed over before the end of the year, keeping the program on schedule toward achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

“The MH-139A offers increased speed, range, and payload capacity—capabilities that are critical to supporting U.S. national security missions,” said Azeem Khan, Boeing’s MH-139 Program Director. “We look forward to delivering these advanced aircraft to bases across the country as the Air Force modernises its rotary-wing fleet.”

The MH-139A is derived from Leonardo Helicopters’ AW139, one of the world’s most successful commercial rotorcraft with more than 1,200 units in service globally. Boeing serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator, outfitting the aircraft with specialised mission equipment, communication systems, and defensive modifications to meet U.S. Air Force requirements.

Leonardo AW139

This partnership combines Leonardo’s proven airframe with Boeing’s expertise in military systems, resulting in a helicopter specifically designed for demanding security operations. The airframes are produced at Leonardo’s Philadelphia facility, while Boeing performs final military integration, training, and sustainment support at its Ridley Park site.

The Grey Wolf is set to replace the Bell UH-1N Huey, a workhorse that has served the Air Force faithfully for more than 50 years. While the Huey has been central to nuclear security, VIP transport, and search-and-rescue missions, its limited range, speed, and payload no longer meet modern operational demands.

The MH-139A’s primary mission is to support Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) in securing America’s ICBM fields, which span vast regions across the northern United States. These sites require a rapid-response aircraft with superior range, speed, and all-weather performance to ensure continuous protection of strategic nuclear assets.

With a top speed of around 165 knots and a range exceeding 250 nautical miles, the MH-139A provides a dramatic performance leap over the UH-1N. It can carry nine fully equipped security personnel plus mission gear, ensuring swift and effective deployment in critical situations.

Beyond its nuclear security duties, the MH-139A is engineered as a multi-role helicopter capable of a wide variety of missions, including search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), disaster response, and personnel transport. Its modern avionics suite, redundant flight systems, and advanced autopilot reduce pilot workload while enhancing safety and situational awareness.

A significant advantage of the MH-139A program lies in reduced operational costs. Because the AW139 is already a mature, globally supported platform, spare parts, maintenance expertise, and logistics infrastructure are well established. This allows the Air Force to benefit from lower life-cycle costs compared to a completely new design.

Boeing’s focus now turns toward refining training and sustainment frameworks to support long-term fleet readiness. Training solutions include comprehensive pilot and maintainer programs, simulator-based instruction, and extensive technical documentation tailored to Air Force standards. Sustainment support covers every level of lifecycle management, from spare parts logistics and technical publications to field service engineering, ensuring mission availability and reliability across the entire fleet.

The MH-139A programme is a prime example of American–Italian industrial cooperation. Leonardo provides the airframes, while Boeing handles military integration, final assembly, and U.S.-based logistics. This transatlantic partnership supports hundreds of high-value aerospace jobs across both countries and strengthens the industrial base in Pennsylvania, where both companies operate major facilities. The collaboration also demonstrates a modern acquisition philosophy: leveraging commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to reduce risk, accelerate delivery, and improve cost efficiency. By adapting a proven commercial helicopter rather than developing a new model, the Air Force gains a capable and cost-effective platform far more quickly.

The Air Force ultimately plans to acquire up to 84 MH-139A helicopters, fully replacing the UH-1N fleet and ensuring continuous support for nuclear security, emergency response, and transport operations. As the program moves toward full-rate production, new Grey Wolfs will soon be a familiar presence at bases such as Minot, Malmstrom, and F.E. Warren AFB, patrolling the vast missile fields of the northern plains.

The aircraft’s motto, “Defend the Pack,” captures its purpose succinctly—protecting those who safeguard the nation’s most powerful weapons. With Boeing and Leonardo continuing to deliver on performance, reliability, and cost efficiency, the MH-139A Grey Wolf is poised to serve as the backbone of the Air Force’s security and support fleet well into the future.