Boeing to launch production of MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters for USAF
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The American aviation giant says the new helicopter will save the US Air Force $1 billion in expenses due to low operation and maintenance costs.
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MH-139A Grey Wolf (US Air Force website)
US Boeing will start production of the first batch of MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters after being awarded the manufacturing contract earlier while the first delivery is expected in 2024.
"Boeing [NYSE: BA] will begin production on the first 13 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, following the award of a $285 million U.S. Air Force contract for aircraft, sustainment and support services," the company said in a statement.
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The advanced helicopter will replace the current aging fleet of UH-1N Huey aircraft and will ensure decades-long missile security for the US Air Force.
"Advancing the program from testing and evaluation to production is a major step toward entering the MH-139 into service and providing the U.S. Air Force with additional missile security for decades," said the company's MH-139A program director, Azeem Khan.
The new combat helicopter, with its low operating expenses and improved maintainability, is expected to "translate into more than $1B in savings for the Air Force across the aircraft’s life cycle," the statement added.
The American aviation giant will cooperate with the project's main contractor Leonardo, which is expected to manufacture the helicopter in its Philadelphia plants, while Boeing will secure the procurement and installation of the military hardware.
It's noteworthy that in August 2022, Boeing delivered 4 MH-139A Grey Wolf test helicopters to the US Air Force.
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