DUKE FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) —
Air Force Global Strike Command named the MH-139A helicopter “Grey Wolf” during a naming ceremony at Duke Field, Dec. 19.
Gen. Timothy Ray, AFGSC commander, made the announcement, comparing it to the wild animal that bears the same name.
The Grey Wolf is the command’s first major acquisition in its 10-year history. The name Grey Wolf is derived from the wild species that roams the northern tier of North America, which also encompasses the intercontinental ballistic missile bases in AFGSC.
“It strikes fear in the hearts of many,” Ray said. “Its range is absolutely inherent to the ICBM fields we have.”
“As they hunt as a pack, they attack as one, they bring the force of many,” he continued. “That’s exactly how you need to approach the nuclear security mission.”
The helicopters will provide security and support for the nation’s ICBM fields which span Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska. The new helicopter closes the capability gaps of the UH-1N Huey in the areas of speed, range, endurance, payload and survivability in support of the command’s ICBM missions. Other mission capabilities include civil search and rescue, airlift support, National Capital Region missions, as well as survival school and test support.
The roll out of the new helicopter demonstrates an asset providing ICBM security in support of U.S. Strategic Command’s nuclear deterrence operations aligned with the National Defense Strategy. The acquisition was contracted through Boeing during a full and open competition at a cost of $2.38 billion for up to 84 aircraft — $1.7 billion under budget. It is the command’s first commercial “off-the-shelf” purchase, adding military-unique modifications.
The Air Force will procure up to 84 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, training devices and associated support equipment from Boeing.
“When I think about the issue in front of us, about moving forward in nuclear deterrence, when I stare down a wave of acquisition for essentially everything we do, I hope this particular program is a harbinger of very successful stories to follow not just for our command but for the good of the nation and for the good of our allies and partners,” Ray said.
The Grey Wolf will replace the UH-1N, which entered the operational Air Force in 1970.
The MH-139A Grey Wolf will provide vertical airlift and support the requirements of five Air Force major commands and operating agencies: AFGSC, Air Force District of Washington, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Pacific Air Forces. AFGSC is the lead command and operational capability requirements sponsor.
By TSgt Mike Meares, Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
Air Wolf…
Exactly! Thought the same.
Missed opportunity, what a shame.
Boeing must’ve made a sweetheart deal or there must’ve been industrial base considerations with the Chinook winding down for the USAF to not just piggbyack on exisiting UH-60 contracts and enjoy sustainment and training synergies with the rest of DoD.
Just like the Guard purchase of the Lakota. Had something to do with a civilian airframe for strictly Conus operations.
This would have been a Black Hawk except Sikorsky (correctly) wouldn’t share their software with the Air Force.
Someone forgot to inform the general that helicopters are supposed to have Native American names, Grey Wolf is cool, but violates that policy, even if not an official policy
That’s only an Army policy.
This was the right call for the AF. An H-60 variation would be 5x the operating costs. This is essentially a commercial aircraft designed to be touched once every 6 months by a basically trained maintenance technician. Keep the fluids levels filled, fuel it, and fly it. This is also very US centric in terms of manufacture.
There’s a reason AW139’s are taking over in oil and gas and civil service and firefighting for it’s payload and speed class.
Great choice.
There is no such thing as a helicopter that only has to be touched every 6 months and Leonardos are notorious hangar queens.
If we wanted helicopters that could be maintained with a hammer and a sickle by a high school drop out, we’d have bought MI-17s.
Sorry Charles.
This was one of the DUMBEST decisions made by the USAF helicopter world. Trust me, NOT one USAF helicopter person thinks that this was a good choice.
Everybody I know and have every talked to, thought it should be the UH-60L or M. From the crewing, maintenance standardization and program management, it is a cost “no brainer.” Why does Southwest only fly the B-737? It is to minimize cost and for crew training/manning and maintenance standardization.
Extra icing on the cake is the commonality with the current HH-60G & incoming W. Not to mention the commonality with other DHS and DoD H-60’s (ie Army & National Guard).
The USAF will have to spin up and man another SPO to manage only 84 aircraft in addition to the HH-60 SPO.
Most of the Sqn’s are out west in mountainous states where power required often exceeds power available in the hot and high altitudes during the summer months.
The UH-60 is a OCONUS deployable aircraft with defensive systems for the latest threats. What if ANTIFA gets MANPADS? What then? What if we need to send helicopter OCONUS in a international emergency? The aircrews take the risk? They Were Expendable!
The latest RUMINT said Boeing or Agusta wouldn’t cover warranty items if “Off Airport” landings were conducted. “Sorry Sir, I can’t INFIL your security team unless it is to a concrete prepared surface. It will void my warranty.” WTF!
This is a classic example of bureaucratic BUFFOONERY!
Wasting yours and my tax dollars….
Lets not forget about the “one off” special built simulators that will have to be built at Kirtland. If the UH-60M had been chosen “off the shelf” simulators could have been purchased.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_United_States_military_aircraft
USAF
HH-60G- 92
HH-60U- 3
US Army
UH-60 Black Hawk- 1,443
(751 x UH-60A, 592 x UH-60L, 100 x UH-60M. 1227 UH-60M planned)
EH-60’s – 64
MH-60’s – 58
US Navy
MH-60- 508
USCG
MH-60T- 42
USMC
VH-60N- 8