Air Force Begins Testing ‘Huey’ Replacement Helicopter

The MH-139A Grey Wolf will replace the iconic UH-1N ‘Huey’ for nuclear security missions.

Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 04:08 PM ET

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Boeing's MH-139A is set to replace the UH-1N Iroquois – nicknamed the “Huey”-- that’s been in service for the past half century. [Courtesy: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force's MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter program is advancing to military capability testing, with the service accepting four units from Boeing.
The MH-139A will replace the half-century-old UH-1N Iroquois "Huey" for nuclear security missions, offering upgrades in speed, range, endurance, payload, and survivability.
Based on the commercial Leonardo AW139, the Grey Wolf recently received FAA certification and military flight release after previous delays, enabling the commencement of military utility testing.
The Air Force plans to acquire a total of 80 MH-139A helicopters to be stationed at key bases for nuclear missile security operations.

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The U.S Air Force’s plans to update its aging fleet of nuclear security helicopters with Boeing’s (NYSE: BA) MH-139A Grey Wolf are once again in motion and have advanced to military capability testing, the service announced.

The MH-139A is set to replace the UH-1N Iroquois—nicknamed the “Huey”—that’s been in service for the past half century, primarily for airlift of emergency security forces and surveillance of off-base nuclear weapons convoys.