Boeing has delivered four of its MH-139A Grey Wolf test helicopters to the U.S. Air Force as the service replaces its aging UH-1N helicopters, the aerospace company announced Thursday.
The Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Grey Wolf to start military utility testing.
The aircraft will protect intercontinental ballistic missiles and support other Air Force commands, according to a news release.
Boeing was awarded a $2.4 billion contract in September 2018 for 80 helicopters, training systems and other support equipment.
“The Grey Wolf is a modern, versatile aircraft offering greater range, speed and endurance than the UH-1N Huey it replaces,” said Mark Cherry, vice president and general manager of Boeing Vertical Lift. “I am proud of our team who, along with our partner Leonardo, helped us to achieve this milestone – a tremendous first step in a long line of Grey Wolf deliveries.”
Leonardo is the company that builds the helicopters in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Boeing handles military equipment procurement and installation, and offers post-delivery support of the helicopters.
In this YouTube video from 2017, Boeing describes some of the capabilities and features of the aircraft.
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