Helis, June 03, 2021 - The U.S. Air Force new helicopter Leonardo/Boeing MH-139 selected to replace the aging Bell UH-1N fleet in service since the 1970s is suffering of some delays in its procurement planning.
“Basically what we are doing is we are deferring the procurement of the MH-139 until [fiscal 2023]. It’s not in the budget in FY22 due to an FAA certification issue that we have experienced,” said Carlos Rodgers, Air Force associate deputy assistant secretary for budget.
“Technical issues discovered during contractor testing have caused the certification delay,” the service stated. “The program office is currently evaluating courses of action and will have a better understanding of the program impact in the coming months.”
The cause of the delay in the schedule was not disclosed but the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned in June 2020 that the program was in danger of delays or cost overruns if the FAA required additional engine power tests.
On September 2018 the USAF selected the Italian Leonardo AW139 build in Philadelphia as the new helicopter for homeland missions including the National Capital VIP transport, SAC ICBM bases protection, civil search and rescue, airlift support, as well as survival school and test support.
The program is managed by Boeing and 84 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters are required. The first helicopter was delivered to the Air Force in December 2019 for final evaluation tests.
Eight helicopters were acquired in FY21 and another 8 were planned for FY22.
“Basically what we are doing is we are deferring the procurement of the MH-139 until [fiscal 2023]. It’s not in the budget in FY22 due to an FAA certification issue that we have experienced,” said Carlos Rodgers, Air Force associate deputy assistant secretary for budget.
“Technical issues discovered during contractor testing have caused the certification delay,” the service stated. “The program office is currently evaluating courses of action and will have a better understanding of the program impact in the coming months.”
The cause of the delay in the schedule was not disclosed but the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned in June 2020 that the program was in danger of delays or cost overruns if the FAA required additional engine power tests.
On September 2018 the USAF selected the Italian Leonardo AW139 build in Philadelphia as the new helicopter for homeland missions including the National Capital VIP transport, SAC ICBM bases protection, civil search and rescue, airlift support, as well as survival school and test support.
The program is managed by Boeing and 84 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters are required. The first helicopter was delivered to the Air Force in December 2019 for final evaluation tests.
Eight helicopters were acquired in FY21 and another 8 were planned for FY22.
The US Air Force wants 84 MH-139 to replace the UH-1N
The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey entered service in the US Air Force in 1970
See also |
MH-139A Grey Wolf in
US Air Force GAO Congress GAO Concerned about MH-139 Weight
USAF Delay Production of MH-139A Grey Wolf
