USAF Slashes Plans for MH-139 Helicopter Fleet Size, Locations
March 15, 2024 | By Greg Hadley
The Air Force is dramatically scaling back its plans for the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter, cutting its projected fleet from 80 to 42 aircraft and reducing the number of bases that will host the new chopper.
For now, that means some units will continue to operate the aging UN-1N Huey, some of which have been flying since the Vietnam War.
The Air Force’s original plan was to procure 84 helicopters to provide security and transport across sprawling ICBM fields, senior leader and executive airlift in the National Capital Region, and aircrew survival training.
That plan was later trimmed to 80 aircraft, and the service’s 2025 budget documents now show a cut all the way down to 36. However, an Air Force spokeswoman told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the program of record would actually be 42 helicopters since six test aircraft were already delivered.
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-cuts-mh-139-helicopter-fleet/
