Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf
| MH-139 Grey Wolf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medium lift helicopter |
National origin | Italy/United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Leonardo |
| Status | In service, in production |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| History | |
Introduction date | 2020 |
| First flight | 2019 |
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. Built under licence 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. 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). 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.
The MH-139A Grey Wolf is used for security patrols, search and rescue missions, and personnel and cargo transport. 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.
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. 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.
Design
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.
Operational history
In March 2024, the first field-ready MH-139 Grey Wolf arrived at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. The 341st Missile Wing captured footage of Malmstrom's first Grey Wolf arriving at the base. The 908th Airlift Wing introduced the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter at Maxwell Air Force Base on 31 May 2024. On 1 September 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.
As of 30 September 2025, 17 are in the USAF inventory.
On 8 January 2026, the MH-139 completed its first operational mission, with two units escorting a column of missile maintenance and armored security vehicles to and from a Minuteman III launch facility.
On 1 September 2026, Air Force Global Strike Command announced the MH-139 reached its initial operating capability the day before.
On 1 October 2026, Boeing announced it had received a contract of four MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters for full-rate production at the cost of US$252.94 million.
Operators
- United States Air Force - 27 delivered, including 20 low-rate initial production.15 more on order.
- 96th Test Wing
- 582d Helicopter Group
- 37th Helicopter Squadron – F. E. Warren Air Force Base, , Wyoming (Planned entry late 2026)
- 40th Helicopter Squadron – Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
- 54th Helicopter Squadron – Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota (Planned entry late 2026/early 2027)
- 908th Flying Training Wing – Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Airbus Helicopters H175
- Airbus Helicopters H225M
- Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
- NHIndustries NH90
- Bell UH-1Y Venom
Related lists
References
- ↑ "MH-139 Grey Wolf Archives". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ "Air Force names newest helicopter 'Grey Wolf'". Air Force Global Strike Command AFSTRAT-AIR. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Gregg, Aaron (3 October 2018). "Boeing wins $2.4 billion Air Force helicopter contract in major upset to Lockheed Martin". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ Pawlyk, Oriana (27 April 2023). "More Than a Decade Later, the Air Force Finally Picks a Huey Replacement". Military.com. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ Vandenbosch. "Boeing Delivers First MH-139A Grey Wolf to US Air Force". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ "Boeing Awarded Contract for Seven Additional MH-139A Helicopters". MediaRoom. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Hadley, Greg (15 March 2024). "USAF Slashes Plans for MH-139 Helicopter Fleet Size, Locations". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ D'Urso, Stefano (2 May 2024). "Amid Uncertainty, U.S. Air Force Orders Additional MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopters". The Aviationist. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (13 March 2024). "Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half". The War Zone. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ "MH-139A Grey Wolf Multi-Mission Helicopter, US". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Cohen, Rachel (15 March 2024). "Air Force's first Grey Wolf patrol helicopter arrives at Malmstrom". Air Force Times. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ "Malmstrom celebrates arrival of its first Grey Wolf helicopter". Malmstrom Air Force Base. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Welsh, Mickey. "The MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter shown by 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ↑ Marrow, Michael (3 September 2024). "Air Force to add back over a dozen MH-139 helos in FY26, averting 'critical' cost breach". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ Marrow, Michael (4 September 2024). "Air Force To Add Back Over a Dozen MH-139 Helos in FY26 | RealClearDefense". www.realcleardefense.com. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ "2026 USAF & USSF Almanac Equipment: Total Aircraft Inventory (TAI)". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "2 Grey Wolf aircraft complete first nuclear security mission". boeing.com. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ↑ Finnerty, Ryan (1 September 2026). "MH-139 Grey Wolf hits IOC milestone for US Air Force nuclear security mission". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- 1 2 "US Air Force orders first four MH-139A helicopters under full-rate production". Janes. 2 October 2026. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
- ↑ "Grey Wolf gets dirty in austere landing tests (photos)". Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.[dead link]
- ↑ McCutcheon, Elora. "Malmstrom celebrates arrival of its first Grey Wolf helicopter". Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ "37th Helo Squadron and 90 MSOS TRF Building Ribbon Cutting". warren.af.mil. 19 August 2026. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ "54th Helicopter Squadron Groundbreaking Ceremony". northernsentry.com. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ "908th Airlift Wing receives their first MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter since becoming first". Air Force Global Strike Command AFSTRAT-AIR. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.[dead link]