Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf Reaches Full-Rate Production

Boeing Defense will build four more MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters under a new contract the company announced on Oct. 1, 2026, calling it the aircraft's entry into full-rate production. The contract value was not disclosed. The award came a month after the U.S. Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability for the helicopter.

Boeing says 27 MH-139As have been delivered, including 20 low-rate initial production airframes. The new award brings the total under contract to 42 Grey Wolves, the program of record set after the Air Force cut planned procurement from 80 aircraft to 42 in 2024. The service raised its program objective to 56 aircraft in its fiscal 2026 budget.

The MH-139A is meant mainly to replace the UH-1N Huey in inter-continental ballistic missile security and convoy support. According to Air and Space Forces Magazine, the Air Force had also planned to use the type for aircrew survival training and contingency response around Washington, D.C., where the 1st Helicopter Squadron still flies the UH-1N.

Kathleen Jolivette, Boeing's vice president and general manager for the Vertical Lift Program, said the full-rate production milestone validates readiness levels for the Grey Wolf and supports the service's fielding plans to secure strategic missile assets.