US Air Force gets Boeing’s Grey Wolf helicopter to guard nuclear missile bases

Boeing has delivered the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production helicopter to the United States Air Force. The new aircraft will be used to protect the nuclear intercontinental missile (ICBM) bases.

The helicopter was delivered as a part of the Low Rate Initial Production order in 2023, which was for 13 aircraft.

The aircraft, according to a press release by Boeing, will be stationed at the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana.

This delivery adds on to the six Research, Development, Test and Evaluation helicopters which have already been delivered by the company to the US Air Force.

The US Air Force has placed an additional order of seven MH-139A helicopters to Boeing in 2024. All this combines to make Boeing having a contract for supplying 26 Grey Wolf aircraft.

Boeing’s MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter

According to the Boeing press release, the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter offers a 50 percent increase in speed and range as compared to its predecessor.

Moreover, it also offers a 5,000-pound increase in maximum gross weight compared to its earlier counterparts.

The company also claims that the aircraft has lower operating costs, increased reliability, and improved maintenance, which combine to give an enhanced capability and greater flexibility for the US Air Force.

“This aircraft will directly support ongoing US Air Force modernization efforts,” said Azeem Khan, MH-139 executive director and program manager. “Delivering this asset for the MH-139A fleet is critical to the future of national security as the Grey Wolf will play a crucial role in the US nuclear triad for decades to come.”

The MH-139A team consists of Boeing as the prime contractor and Leonardo as an original equipment manufacturer.

Leonardo produces the baseline helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia, while Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.

Protecting nuclear missile bases

The helicopter is going to contribute to the US Air Force’s push to further embolden its nuclear deterrence capabilities. It will contribute to keeping the country’s nuclear arsenal secure and increase the response time in case of threats.

The airmen will use the MH-139A Greywolf to patrol the large Minuteman III nuclear missile base and its surrounding areas.

The new aircraft will replace some of the US Air Force’s UH-1N Hueys – which have been in service since the Vietnam war – and are being used for security patrols around nuclear missile bases, according to a report by Defense News .

The MH-139A had entered the production phase last year after Boeing completed the testing and evaluation with the delivery of six aircraft to the US Air Force.

According to the most recent plans, the Air Force has slashed the number of total Grey Wolfs it intended to buy and is now looking at retaining some old Hueys for security purposes around nuclear missile bases.

Boeing’s MH-139A Grey Wolf is a multi-mission helicopter – based on the proven commercial AW139 helicopter – designed to protect intercontinental ballistic missiles and transport US government officials and security forces.

The company also claims that the improved reliability and maintenance can translate into more than $1B in savings for the Air Force across the aircraft’s life cycle.