Leonardo, the production with Boeing of military helicopters for the US Air Force begins
Delivery of the first 13 helicopters from Leonardo and Boeing is expected in 2024. The MH-139A is based on Leonardo's AW139 multi-mission helicopter. All the details
Started initial production for the Leonardo-Boeing duo of MH-139 Gray Wolf helicopters for the US Air Force.
On March 3, the US Air Force (USAF) announced the decision to start initial production of the MH-139A "Grey Wolf" helicopters, thus allowing Boeing and Leonardo to announce the contract for the delivery of the first 13 units, according to a note of the company led by Alessandro Profumo.
"This decision represents a major step toward getting MH-139 into service and providing the US Air Force with even greater missile safety in the coming decades," said Azeem Khant, MH-139 program director for Boeing.
In 2018, the USAF selected the MH-139 helicopter, based on Leonardo's AW139 and offered by Boeing as prime contractor, to replace the UH-1N "Huey" fleet. Notably, Boeing had won a contract worth $2.4 billion for up to 80 helicopters, training systems and other support equipment.
Last August, the US Air Force accepted the first four helicopters currently deployed for further development tests and the start of operational activities.
The first operational helicopters will replace the current UH-1N fleet with deliveries in 2024.
All the details.
THE PRODUCTION OF LEONARDO'S MH-139A HELICOPTERS WITH BOEING STARTS
Leonardo produces the MH-139As at its Philadelphia site and then transfers them to the Boeing and Ridley Park site for relative militarization. Boeing is in fact responsible for the acquisition and installation of military equipment, as well as support after deliveries. The latter are expected until 2031 at the rate of 8-10 helicopters per year.
THE FEATURES OF THE GRAY WOLF HELICOPTER
Based on Leonardo's highly successful AW139 dual-use helicopter, the Gray Wolf is a multi-mission aircraft designed to protect ICBMs and transport US government personnel and security forces.
The MH-139A's advanced capabilities allow it to perform missions faster, quieter and more efficiently. With a 50 percent increase in speed and range, and a 5,000-pound increase in maximum gross weight over the UH-1N, the helicopter is well positioned to perform US Air Force-assigned missions in the protection of military sites. ICBMs into the country and to transport US government and security forces personnel.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/smartcity/leonardo-al-via-la-produzione-con-boeing-degli-elicotteri-militari-per-laeronautica-usa/ on Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:26:29 +0000.