The rigorous testing and evaluation process allowed the MH-139A helicopter to respond to simulated threats with full tactical responsive loads and onboard weapons.
The US Air Force MH-139A Gray Wolf Quickly transition to its role in supporting nuclear safety missions by patrolling the country’s nuclear base and ensuring that the launch site eventually replaces the older UH-1N Hueys. air force Announce Starting from January 28, 2025, it began IoT&E (Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation) for MH-139A, evaluating the “operational effectiveness, applicability and viability” of Malmstrom AFB (Air Force) in Mongolia Dana, own one Militia III ICBM Launch silo.
The test involved two UH-1N Hueys from 40 helicopters (40 hs) and two MH-139A Gray Wolf helicopters from 550 hs in IoT&E. The trial evaluates the “system’s operational efficiency, applicability and viability in real and operational environments”. On three MH-139 IoT&E flights, one tested its ability to “support fleets, evaluate communication systems and general fleet support operations”, and two “focused on emergency response, especially startup facility recovery and recovery – Measure Idle The response time is on board.”
“A strict testing and evaluation process” enables “helicopters to respond to simulated threats with fully tactical responsive loads and onboard weapons.” This is to meet Congressional regulations requiring IoT&E to ensure that the aircraft can play its designated role, “successfully.” and “seamlessly assumed” the responsibilities of its predecessors – in this case, UH-1N Huey – did not have any capacity.
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The role of UH-1N Huey is to transport “emergency safety forces, provide safety and surveillance for essential nuclear weapons convoys, and conduct outstanding tourists air transport.” In addition, Huey is also used for disaster response, search and rescue, medical evacuation, onboard wired inspections, crews Personnel survival training support, aerial testing and routine transport to missile sites. ”
The flight engineer also manages the “system on board” and manages the monitored aircraft performance while assisting the pilot in navigation operations. As Aeronautician The MH-139A Gray Wolf participated in its first training event at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, which will conduct air patrols and respond to emergency situations near nuclear missile bases.
In the latest series of tests, the helicopter carries a team of five full arm lines TRF (tactical reactive) pilots to test the helicopter’s ability to insert and extract tactical reactive pilots while keeping the air and Effective communication between ground forces. “The TRF team is also “evaluated separately by defenders in the Weapons and Tactical Divisions”.
In the test protocol, TRF and 550 HS alert forces were notified to “simulate emergency situations in nuclear launch facilities”. Upon arrival, Gray Wolf’s crew flew over the scene several times, “before deploying the TRF team at a safe distance.” Then, the helicopter quickly took off again to provide the air cover. Meanwhile, the TRF team used “their shooting, movement and communication strategies” and “neutralize the simulated enemy threat” to regain the launch facility.
The two MH-139s also carry two M240 7.62 mm belt-type machine guns as part of the standard aviation patrol load. However, as the official image shows, it appears that the gun is not fed by ammunition.
The introduction of MH-139A gray wolf is also happening $140 billion LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) is developing a portion of the ground-based strategic deterrence (GBSD) to replace the older Cold War-era Militia III missiles.
A large portion of the cost range and price components of Sentinel are related to building professional ground tools, underground silos, processing infrastructure, manufacturing and installation of maintenance equipment, cables, software and communication systems. Once the missile is running, the gray wolf will protect these.
No. 550 HS will prepare a report for the AFGSC (Air Force Global Strike Command), which will initiate the formal assignment of “nuclear safety missions” to MH-139. It subsequently also allowed UH-1N Huey to retire in the duties of Malmstrom AFB.
Previous developments
Meanwhile, Boeing announced January 11, 2025 Malmstrom AFB received its first MH-139A of 2025, making it the sixth helicopter to join the base. “The helicopters have advanced technology for fast, quiet, efficient, safe transportation and missile safety missions.” The company said. The 550th HS of Malmstrom AFB received its first production grey wolf on August 5, 2024, which is Part of 13 helicopters approved in 2023 at $285 million low interest rate initial production (LRIP).
MH-139A Gray Wolf is AW139M variantitself a militarized version of Leonardo’s AW139 commercial helicopter, designed to replace the U.S. Air Force’s Vietnam-era UH-1N Hueys. The main function of helicopters is to support nuclear safety tasks, conduct air patrols near nuclear missile bases and respond to emergency situations. Leonardo first produced base helicopters at a facility in northeastern Philadelphia, and then Boeing then modified and equipped the aircraft with the necessary military equipment.
