The Grey Wolf is on the prowl. A pair of MH-139A helicopters flew an intercontinental ballistic missile convoy mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., marking the first operational use of the new Grey Wolf.
The choppers flew about 100 miles out and back Jan. 8, accompanying missile maintenance and armored security vehicles going to a launch facility, according to a release. The whole mission took about six hours.
Like much of the U.S. nuclear enterprise, the security forces helicophters also in the midst of a major modernization upgrade. The MH-139 replaces Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters.
The first operational convoy demonstrated the Grey Wolf’s upgrades: the two helicopters did not need to be refueled, flew the mission faster, and could carry more troops than a Huey. The release said the new aircraft can arrive “several minutes sooner” at their destinations than the UH-1N.
Malmstrom has more than 100 launch facilities spread across 13,800 square miles, and the Air Force’s other missile fields spread across three bases and five states.
“Executing our first convoy mission with two MH-139s marks a significant step forward in strengthening our missile security operations,” said Maj. Gen. Stacy Huser, commander of the 20th Air Force, which oversees the ICBM fleet. “The MH-139 allows us to continue supporting our ICBM enterprise for decades to come with increased speed, range, and lift.”
The Air Force unveiled the Grey Wolf at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., more than six years ago. The aircraft is based on Leonardo’s civilian AW139 helicopter, and officials hoped to move quickly from selection to production, anticipating initial operational capability in 2021. When the program hit testing delays and deficiencies, the Air Force halved its plans for the fleet, triggering a change in cost that required congressional notification. The plan later was revised again to 56 airframes.
Now, at last, the program is delivering. A 20th Air Force spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine that initial operational test and evaluation wrapped up in July and that initial operational capability is now projected for mid-April 2026. That “date could shift due to [maintenance] rates and UH-1N divestment,” the spokesman added.
Soon other bases will also get operational MH-139s: three helicopters destined for F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., are currently at Malmstrom waiting for their future hangar to be completed, the spokesperson said. Minot Air Force Base, N.D., will also get aircraft before long.
