AgustaWestland AW139M

The AW139M designation was first used for the customized military version for the US Air Force Common Vertical Lift Support Program or CVLSP to seek a replacement for the UH-1N . Manufactured in the Philadelphia facility and tailored with US military technology from suppliers across the nation, the AW139M includes a high-definition FLIR, infrared detection and countermeasures and heavy duty landing gear.

The Italian Air Force was the first operator of an AW139 dedicated military variant, with the first of their HH-139A helicopters delivered in early 2012. Since then, military-tailored variants of the helicopter have been supplied to Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan, Thailand, and Malta, in most cases for search and rescue missions.

In 2018 won the USAF competition in a joint-venture with Boeing as the MH-139A Grey Wolf.


From 2020, the Italian Air Force began introducing the HH-139B, an enhanced variant of the HH-139 helicopter, with a total of 17 aircraft delivered. The “B” version represents a more capable and heavier evolution of the platform, specifically engineered to improve operational effectiveness in demanding and extreme environments.

Compared to earlier versions, the HH-139B features an increased maximum takeoff weight, rising from 6,800 kg to 7,000 kg, allowing for greater payload capacity and extended mission flexibility. A key upgrade is the installation of a dual rescue hoist system, which enhances both redundancy and safety during winching operations, a critical aspect of search and rescue missions.

The aircraft is also equipped with advanced avionics, including updated Phase 8 mission software, a redesigned cabin mission console, and improved radar and electro-optical systems. These enhancements provide crews with greater situational awareness and mission coordination capabilities, reinforcing the HH-139B’s role in both conventional search and rescue and more complex operational scenarios.