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| The US Air Force Orders the MH-139A Helicopter Which Has an Advanced Defense System |
Washington - The US Air Force ordered Boeing's first MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter to guard nuclear ballistic missile silos. The Gray Wolves guarding the US nuclear arsenal will replace the fleet of Bell UH-1N Huey multi-role helicopters that have been in service since 1970.
Physically the shape of the MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter is based on the commercial AW139 helicopter made by Boeing. By using ready-to-use components and proven designs, Boeing expects the Gray Wolf to reduce manufacturing and operating costs by USD 1 billion over the life of the fleet.
The US Air Force ordered its first MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter worth $285 million. The Gray Wolf has 50% greater range than the Huey, can lift 2,300 kg more payload, flies 50% faster and has 30% more cabin space.
"This is a major step towards getting the MH-139A into service and providing the US Air Force with additional missile security for decades," said Azeem Khan, Boeing's MH-139 Program Director.
The MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter is based on the Leonardo AW139 and modified with special equipment, systems and weapons. The MH-139A features an advanced flight deck with the latest avionics for better situational awareness, and full autopilot capability to reduce crew workload.
Safety features of this helicopter include open architecture glass cockpit, weather radar, enhanced ground proximity warning, radar altimeter, reduced engine IR signature, and UHF/military satkom.
Equipped with defense systems such as chaff/flare and missile warning, cockpit and cabin ballistic protection, as well as impact-resistant self-sealing fuel tanks.
The MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter is optionally armed with a cabin-mounted M240 7.62 mm machine gun. The rotor diameter of the MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopter spans 45.2 feet (13.7 meters), body length is 54.7 feet (16.6 meters) and height is 16.3 feet (4.9 meters).
The MH-139A helicopter uses two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines producing 1,100 hp each. This power gives it the operational capability to fly at an altitude of 20,000 feet or 6,000 meters, a speed of 167 miles per hour (268 km per hour) and a range of 890 miles (1,432 km).