Posted on 08/07/2024 5:04:29 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
Boeing announced in November last year that it was transitioning towards the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after delivering the sixth and final test aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF).
Boeing delivers first production Grey Wolf to US Air Force Boeing delivers first production Grey Wolf to US Air Force
Boeing has delivered the first LRIP MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter to the USAF, marking a major milestone in a US$2.4 billion programme to replace the force’s UH-1N Huey helicopters.
In 2024, USAF ordered an additional seven MH-139As from Boeing with six Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft already delivered. Boeing currently has 26 aircraft on contract.
The aircraft is the military variant of the AW139. Leonardo produces the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia and Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.
The aircraft has a particular role in USAF service for protecting nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota but is also used to transport US officials and security forces.
It has an increased carrying capacity over the AW139 it is based on with a 300kg increase in load. The company has highlighted the commonality between the two versions as a way to reduce operating costs and improve the supply chain.
(Excerpt) Read more at shephardmedia.com ...
Boeing?
Danger, Will Robinson, danger!
The Air Force had some money left over after they finished the golf courses.
I thought rotocraft are the Army’s bailiwick?
I can has?
I just gotta ask, how do these helicopters or any helicopter survive the drones and missiles of the modern battlefield? I know the Russians lost two helicopters yesterday but that’s rare for both sides. Rare because helicopters are rarely used nowadays due to this vulnerability.
I know the navy and marines both operate helicopters.
A lot of these perceived issues with Boeing are actually quality, maintenance and preventative maintenance issues that I doubt the A/F will have.....if they keep dei out of it that is.
Had to build a new one to ensure the racist insensitive tribal names were completely abandoned
It looks more like a SAR helicopter, drones do the scouting these days.
Army ended Kiowa years ago. Not buying more Blackhawks due to FLRAA.
A civilian N number, not a Bureau Number?
Hope the doors don’t fall off.
Hope the crew can land safely....................
Grey Wolf?
This is an insult to Indians!
This should have been named the Blackfoot after the tribe near Malmstrom.
It’s a test vehicle at this point.................
Good question. I bet the radar return from their rotating blades makes for easy targeting, and the bandwith spread of the returned signal due to doppler probably enables for differentiation between types of helos.
Right. And fixed-wing aircraft, too.
Just wondering if the lines are blurring further on what sort of aircraft the various services operate.
I'd guess so. The width of the doppler 'chirp' can be used to calculate the blade length which is probably type specific.
By Contando Estrelas - commons.wikimedia
Air Force claimed that Blackhawk was too large and expensive to operate, and the Kiowa too small. I think the costs in the long run would be lower with an off the shelf Blackhawk with its fully established supply chain.
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