"Gray Wolf" is preparing to stand in order: US Army will start receiving new helicopters (video)

Air Force want to get a new and modern platform to replace outdated UH-1N Huey helicopters. Boeing Defense Corporation plans to start supplying the first MH-139A Gray Wolf (Gray Wolf) to the US Air Force. About it reports Defense News. Boeing has completed the construction of the first Gray Wolf serial helicopter at the end of December. The board is currently underway at the LEONARDO plant. In parallel, the process of certification tests of Federal Civil Aviation (FAA).

The US Air Force is planning to buy up to 80 Gray Wolf helicopters to replace UH-1N Huey. The helicopters will be used to patrol missile and nuclear landfills, as well as to transport higher military leadership. The military ordered the first small series of 13 helicopters. Grey Wolf is a paramiliced ​​version of commercial helicopter AW139 Leonardo.

Difficulties in integration of military systems with the design of commercial helicopters and delays in the FAA certification process have slowed the implementation of the MH-139 program. "We strive to promote this program and have reached another important milestone with the first serial aircraft. This achievement opens us the way to the completion of outstanding trials and approaching a critically important Helicopter for the US aircraft," said Azim Khan, Director of the Boeing MH-139 program .