US Air Force Orders Eight More MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopters to Replace Aging Huey Fleet

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a Lot 3 production contract worth $173 million for eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, expanding the total fleet under contract to 34 aircraft. The latest order supports the service’s effort to replace its aging UH-1N Huey helicopters with a faster and more capable platform designed for nuclear missile field security, convoy escort, and rapid response missions.

Announced on October 9, 2025, the agreement includes training and sustainment services and follows a seven-aircraft procurement in April 2024. Boeing has so far delivered 18 aircraft as the program completes initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) ahead of planned fielding. The Air Force aims to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) in the near term as deliveries ramp up.

The MH-139A is derived from Leonardo’s AW139 civilian helicopter, assembled and militarized by Boeing at its Philadelphia facility. The U.S. variant integrates mission-specific modifications for nuclear security and defense operations. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboshaft engines with full authority digital engine control (FADEC), providing reliable performance and efficiency under demanding conditions. The helicopter offers a top speed of around 135 knots, an operational range exceeding 250 nautical miles, and endurance of approximately three hours — significant improvements over the legacy Huey.

Beyond speed and range, the Grey Wolf is built for survivability and mission flexibility. Its structure includes an armored cockpit and cabin, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a missile warning and countermeasure system. The aircraft can be configured to carry M240 machine guns for defensive roles, and its cabin accommodates up to 15 personnel with gear or equivalent cargo loads. These attributes allow it to respond quickly to incidents in remote intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fields, support medical evacuations, or transport security teams without reconfiguration.

The avionics suite features secure digital communication, encrypted navigation systems, and an open architecture design, enabling easier integration of future upgrades. Boeing and Leonardo emphasize the modular nature of the MH-139A’s systems, allowing the Air Force to adapt the platform as operational needs evolve or new technologies become available.

According to Air Force officials, the aircraft will primarily serve units under Air Force Global Strike Command that oversee the U.S. ICBM infrastructure. Bases such as Malmstrom, Minot, and F.E. Warren Air Force Bases are expected to be key operating locations as the service transitions from Hueys to Grey Wolves. The helicopter’s enhanced payload capacity and weather resilience are expected to improve patrol efficiency and reduce response times across the vast northern missile fields.

Boeing’s MH-139 program director, Azeem Khan, noted that the aircraft’s improved range, speed, and payload directly support national security missions requiring persistent mobility in challenging environments. Leonardo has similarly highlighted that leveraging a proven commercial platform reduces lifecycle costs and accelerates production maturity.

The broader strategic context underlines the Air Force’s effort to modernize all elements of its nuclear deterrent. As the service advances programs like the Sentinel ICBM and upgrades nuclear command and control networks, the Grey Wolf fleet represents a critical supporting element — ensuring secure mobility and operational continuity across the missile enterprise.

The addition of eight new helicopters reinforces confidence in the program’s trajectory toward full-rate production. It also reflects steady progress in strengthening the logistical and operational backbone that sustains U.S. nuclear forces. While modest in scale compared to larger modernization efforts, the MH-139A program addresses a fundamental operational need: providing a reliable, capable, and secure helicopter platform for one of the Air Force’s most sensitive missions.