US Air Force contract for MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters expands

The Boeing Company has secured a new contract to produce four additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters and provide related sustainment for the U.S. Air Force, marking its second production agreement for the aircraft in five months. The contract brings the total award to over $262 million following a $173 million agreement for eight helicopters in September 2023.

The U.S. Air Force has now ordered a total of 38 MH-139A units under contract, with 21 aircraft delivered to date. Of these, 12 were produced under a low-rate initial production contract awarded in 2023. The latest order underscores the Air Force’s accelerated adoption of the MH-139A to bolster security and operational capabilities.

“The quick succession of contracts demonstrates that the U.S. Air Force is all in on bringing the MH-139A capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible,” said Azeem Khan, director, MH-139 program. “Our team is dedicated to delivering and maintaining these aircraft, driven by a commitment to excellence, where safety and quality are our top priorities.”

Designed for multi-mission operations—including patrol, search and rescue, and troop and cargo transport—the MH-139A is based on the Leonardo Helicopters AW139, a civilian utility helicopter adapted with custom military systems by Boeing. The aircraft will be deployed to patrol nuclear missile silos across the U.S. Midwest, a critical security mission for the Air Force.

The collaboration between Boeing and Leonardo Helicopters supports over 1,000 jobs across the United States, particularly in the Philadelphia region, where key assembly and integration work is conducted. Leonardo, an Italian aerospace company, supplies the baseline airframe, while Boeing handles military modifications, sustainment, and logistics.