The US Air Force (USAF) has added an additional eight aircraft to its order for Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters.
Boeing confirmed the plus-up on 8 October, noting the deal is worth more than $173 million to the airframer.
The latest order follows a separate contract for seven MH-139s in April 2024 valued at $178 million, with the decreased price per aircraft indicating increasing maturity of the Grey Wolf production apparatus.
Boeing now has commitments from the USAF for 34 MH-139As, which will provide security at the service’s domestically-based nuclear missile silos, and VIP transport.
“The MH-139A offers increased speed, range and payload capacity critical to supporting US national security missions,” says Azeem Khan, MH-139 programme director. “We look forward to delivering these advanced aircraft to bases across the country.”
Boeing has thus far delivered 18 MH-139As, including 12 which were low-rate initial production examples.
The company says it has completed planned deliveries to the USAF’s first frontline Grey Wolf operator at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. That base began flying the MH-139A in 2024.
Boeing says it expects to deliver four more of the rotorcraft, which is based on the Leonardo Helicopters AW139, this year.
The USAF is acquiring MH-139As to replace the Bell UH-1Ns it currently uses for security missions at bases housing Minuteman III nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles.
